Wettability studies on Scots pine veneers were done by using Wilhelmy plate method. The probe liquids were water and octane as swellable and non-swellable liquids, respectively. Novel approaches based on the Wilhelmy plate method to study wettability of wood veneers are introduced. Immersion to constant depth was performed and liquid uptake with time evaluated. Different kinetic regimes were observed, the fastest one associated with contact angle changes and the slowest regime associated with liquid sorption by capillary and diffusion. Two other approaches, imbibition at constant depth (with initial deeper immersion) and fully immersion, were developed in order to keep contact angle constant during measurements. Generally, water showed higher absorption than octane. In all wettability studies, and for both probe liquids, penetration processes started with a fast initial sorption due to filling the wood voids which followed by swelling in the case of water.
Keywords: wood, Wilhelmy plate method, wettability, veneer, sorption
Authors
Sedighi M.
Ytkemiska Institutet AB/Institute for Surface Chemistry, YKI
Claesson P. M.
Department of Chemistry, Surface and Corrosion Science, Royal Institute of Technology
Wålinder M.
Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Building Materials, Royal Institute of Technology,
Swerin A.
Ytkemiska Institutet AB/Institute for Surface Chemistry, YKI
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