Thermal properties measurement of two tropical wood species as a function of their water content using the parallel hot wire method

The water content of material can affect it thermal properties. The aim of this work was to study the thermal behavior of two tropical wood species namely Ayous and Tali. with their water content. The gravimetric method was used to estimate the water content of these species. The parallel hot-wire method was used as a direct technique to simultaneously measure the thermal properties and water content of the sample at the time of measurement. A comparison between the results obtained by the parallel hot wire method and those obtained by the gravimetric method was carried out. The gap between the water content given by the gravimetric method and that of the parallel hot wire is less than 6% for water conditions above 10% water content. These results testified that parallel hot wire method can be used to estimate water content in hygroscopic materials. A linear increase in thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity with water content was observed.

Automated summary

The water content of material affects its thermal properties. This study investigates the thermal behavior of two tropical wood species and finds that an increase in water content leads to a linear increase in thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity.