The Effects of Water Soluble Extractives on the Acoustic Properties of Reed (Arundo donax L.)

Abstract

Summary The storage modulus (E′) and the loss tangent (tanδ) of reed (Arundo donax L.) used for woodwinds were measured at 20°C and 60% relative humidity and the effects of water soluble extractives on these properties were discussed. The extractives increased both the E′ and tanδof reed. There was a linear relationship between the tanδ change and the weight loss due to extraction. By using an uniaxial rheological model considering the anatomical structure of reed, the E′ and tanδ of reed were described using the storage moduli, loss tangents, and volume fractions of bundle sheaths and parenchyma cells. It was suggested that the extractives in parenchyma cells increased the modulus of elasticity for parenchyma cells by 25% and reduced the relaxation time of parenchyma cells by a factor of three. The main constituents of extractives were glucose, fructose and sucrose.