Fracture Behaviour of Modified Spruce Wood: A Study Using Linear and Non Linear Fracture Mechanics

Abstract

Summary The fracture properties of unmodified and modified (heat treatments under various conditions and acetylation) sprucewood are investigated using the wedge splitting test. Fracture parameters measured include critical stress intensity factor and specific fracture energy under Mode I loading and specific fracture energy under Mode III loading. The Mode I fracture properties are reduced by all kinds of modification. However, acetylation leads to a reduction of only 20%whereas heat treatments reduce the properties to a much greater extent, approximately 50%to 80%. The Mode III fracture properties are influenced less. SEM pictures of the fracture surfaces support the described findings.