• Andres, Bogusław

Abstract

The wood present in trade in Poland named as ‘Siberian larch’, in fact belongs to two tree species: Larix sibirica Ledeb. and Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Kuzen. The term itself is rather associated with the origin of wood. While Larix sibirica wood is the subject of many research, characteristics of Larix gmelinii still require additions. The main aim of this paper was to describe the technical properties of Dahurian larch wood. We characterised also the microstructure of the wood. Moreover, durability against fungi−caused brown rot was tested. The wood from the Chabarowsk area (Russia) was tested. The properties of wood were determined in accordance with the recommendations of the Polish standards. The obtained results allow to conclude that Dahurian larch wood is characterized by medium shrinkage and typical shrinkage anisotropy (total radial shrinkage was 5.0% and in the tangential direction 7.6%). With the average density of this wood in an air−dry state equal to 620 kg/m, average mechanical properties are associated – modulus of elasticity 12.5 GPa and Janka hardness on the cross−section of 57 MPa. These values are similar to those of Siberian larch. Dahurian larch heartwoods is characterized by low durability (4supth/sup class of natural durability to fungi in a 5−degree scale). It causes that wood used in external environment require special attention and use of wood preservatives.

Topics

• density
• impedance spectroscopy
• microstructure
• hardness
• elasticity
• durability
• wood