Beech wood shrinkage observed at the micro-scale by a time series of X-ray computed tomographs (mu XCT)

The shrinkage behavior of European beech wood was successfully observed on a time series of images obtained by high resolution X-ray computed tomography (mu XCT). The calculated measures for shrinkage and shrinkage anisotropy are consistent with published data. Evidence was provided for the 'ray restraint' theory of shrinkage anisotropy. This technique has a high potential for the study of dynamic processes in wood at the micro-scale, though the resolution of the images is lower and the measurement times are longer in comparison to synchroton radiation mu XCT.