Color Characteristics of Red False Heartwood and Mature Wood of Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Determining by Different Chromacity Coordinates

Abstract

Structure of wood can affect intensity of color change in remarkable ways. This article was focused on the analysis of the color changes red false heartwood and mature wood by different methods such as ΔE* (Total color difference), h* (Hue angle), C*ab (Color saturation) and Sab (Saturation). The aim of this study was to evaluate the color properties of red false heartwood and mature wood by using different chromacity coordinates. Our observations suggested that the density in the absolute dry state was equal between the red false heartwood and mature wood. The biggest difference was in the area of the free water domain, thus from an initial MC value to the fiber saturation point (FSP). The shorter drying time of the red false heartwood samples was caused by their lower initial MC. Due to the different MC, the temperature created a different color intensity of the compared samples. Mature wood samples achieved more saturated color in the drying process than did the samples of red false heartwood.