Oak (Quercus sp.) is considered as one of the most durable European wood species. The most important factor influencing oak durability was extractive content. In our work, we were interested in if oak-wood durability is affected by ring-width and related density. Therefore, oak heartwood specimens made of boards with different ring widths were exposed to five different fungal species Daedelea quercina, Antrodia vaillantii, Hypoxylon fragiforme, Stereum hirsutum and Trametes versicolor according to the EN 113 procedure. In parallel, extractives and nitrogen content were determined as well. From the gravimetrically determined mass losses, and microscopical analysis of decayed specimens, it can be resolved, that oak heartwood specimens with the narrowest growth rings and consequently lower density, were more susceptible to fungal decay than denser specimens made of wider growth rings. Durability of oak heartwood with rings of 0.77 mm and density around 550 kg/m3, is comparable to durability of common beech.

Download document (235 kb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document