Abstract:

The zero-span tension technique, used widely in papermaking industry, was introduced to wood science research in China, and used to estimate rapidly the longitudinal tensile strength of tracheids of Chinese Fir plantation wood. It was found optimum thickness of samples and clamping pressure for zero-span tension was 80 μm and 70 psi respectively. Statistical analyses indicated stable increase of tracheids tensile strength from bark to pith, while no significant variation was observed along tree height from 1.3 m to 7.3 m. Therefore, it was inferred that zero-span tension could be used as a novel and reliable method for assessing the axial tensile strength of softwood tracheids.

Key words: zero-span tensile test, wood tracheid, tensile strength