Abstract:

Permeability of sub-alpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) wetwood after steam-explosion treatment was determined and amicroscope analysis was carried out in this study．Comparing to the control，radial and tangential permeability of sub-alpine firwetwood was amplified after steam explosion treatment．The permeability enlarged as the pressure (temperature) or cycles of explosion．A statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference in permeability between the steam-explosion treated groups and control group．Improvement permeability of sub-alpine fir wetwood attributed to steam-explosion treatment that madesome aspirated pits un-aspirated and ruptures on pit membranes．

Key words: steam explosion, sub-alpine fir, wetwood, permeability, reposition or ruptures of pit memebrane