Effects of thermal modification on wood ultrastructure analyzed with crystallographic texture

Abstract

Abstract The changes in ultrastructure of thermally modified beech and poplar wood have been studied by means of the crystallographic texture analysis. The experimental pole figures have been registered based on the X-ray diffraction (XRD). The 3D texture function, i.e., the orientation distribution function (ODF) was calculated with the use of the procedure implemented for materials with the monoclinic lattice symmetry. The inverse pole figures were recalculated from the obtained ODF. Areas with specific crystallographic organization in wood were identified and gradual changes in intensities of moderately oriented areas were observed. Simultaneously, additional reorganization of crystalline cellulose was observed as a result of heat treatment. The integrated skeleton lines confirmed the gradual decomposition of hemicelluloses as well as the temporary increase of cellulose self-organization.