| Abstract: | While several permeability studies have been performed, little information is available on the flow of water in wood along its three orthogonal axes during high temperature drying. Much southern yellow pine construction lumber is dried at temperatures above 100°C, thus how water moves in wood is of concern. In this experiment individual Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) sapwood cubes were coated on two of their three orthogonal faces (longitudinal, radial, and tangential) and the effect of this sealing on the drying rate was determined. From these cubes, drying rates from each of the three primary planes were determined. The free water movement/evaporation between the radial and tangential faces was not statistically different, while the longitudinal rate was approximately three times faster. In commercial practice, the faster longitudinal rate is negated by the very small portion of transverse surface area relative to total lumber surface area. This partially explains why end checking and moisture variation in high temperature dried southern yellow pine lumber are not significant causes of degrade. There was no statistically significant difference in permeability across the seasons tested. |
