The Effect of Sodium Chloride Treatment on Compression Strength of Silver Fir Wood

Arian Kapidani

Among properties which characterize the application of silver fir wood (Abies alba Mill.) in buildings is its compression strength parallel to the grain. In the framework of improvement of this mechanical property, a comparative experimental investigation was performed with sodium chloride (NaCl) treated and non treated silver fir wood with regard to maximum crushing strength and modulus of elasticity, based on mechanical tests performed according to norm ISO 3787. From 68 samples with dimensions 20x20x40 mm, 34 of them were full covered with solid NaCl for a period of 60 days. The samples were sawn from boards produced from fir logs of the area of Librazhdi, in central Albania. After weight percent gain was calculated, the treated and non treated samples were conditioned and tested by means of mechanical testing machine, in the Faculty of Forestry Sciences of Tirana. The weight percent gain of treated wood resulted 9.56%. The maximum crushing strength of non treated fir resulted 43 N/mm², while for treated wood 32.56% higher. With regard to modulus of elasticity treated wood presented a value equal to 14621 N/mm², 19.36% higher than non treated wood. Measured values of the crushing strength and modulus of elasticity in compression parallel to the grain of non treated wood were compared with respective values of fir wood from the literature. No significant variations were noted.