Microscopic Characterisation of <i>Pinus sylvestris</i> Cell Structures under Compression Loading

Abstract

This study is mainly focused on the 3D mechanical cell deformations of 20 × 20 × 60 mm sized softwood specimens under 35 - 40 MPa compression loading at room temperature of 20?C. The moisture content of the specimens was 6% - 7%. The data of microscopic images were measured and compared in terms of the permanently degenerated individual cell structures each in micro-scale . 3D cell deformations of tissues were observed with a magnification of (×100) - (×1500) and in the range of 3.0 - 5.0 kV voltage under the SEM microscope. The specimens were examined under magnification and photographed before and after the compression loading applied parallel to the grain angles to the wood samples. Specimens were painted with gold liquid (12 × 12 × 12 mm sized specimens) in obtaining the SEM images. Under the SEM, these specimens were photographed and lengths between the cell walls ranged between 15 to 40 micrometers. In this study, relative deformations of pinewood cells were determined statistically considering the percentage permanent deformation under the compression loading. It was performed by using knowledge of structural mechanics, considering the measurement of permanent deformation in honeycomb-pinewood structure material.