Determination of fibre saturation point of selected tropical wood species using different methods

The main objective of this research was to determine the fibre saturation point of tropical wood. Two different methods were used to achieve this aim: the logarithm of strength properties versus moisture content and volumetric shrinkage-moisture content plot to zero shrinkage. The test included selected wood species from Africa: Opepe, Iroko, African padouk, and Wenge, and South America: American mahogony and Ipe. For comparison, selected domestic wood species of a similar structure – European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) – were also tested. Determination of the fibre saturation point of the selected wood species using two methods delivered similar results (the small differences were not significant). The results showed that, generally, the fibre saturation point of the tropical wood species was lower than in the case of the European wood species. The lowest values of the fibre saturation point were shown by the African padouk and Ipe (approx. 17 %). Moreover, it was found that in the case of the tropical wood, the basic density had a significant influence on the sorption properties of the tested wood species.