Abstract
Water vapor sorption is a fundamental physical property of wood and has numerous implications for the behavior of wood as a building material. As a result, water vapor sorption isotherms have been studied for over a century and are the topic of countless publications. Despite their importance and depth of study, there has not yet been a thorough review of these studies that can be used to guide readers to the highest quality sorption data. Sorption data acquired at multiple temperatures are frequently used for thermodynamic analysis or to validate sorption models. This review summarizes all known papers where water vapor sorption isotherms have been measured on wood at three or more temperatures and includes 27 studies published from 1930 to 2018. For each study, the quality of the data is evaluated from the experimental details listed in the publication. One of the essential details is the operational definition of equilibrium, often specified as a threshold for change in mass with time. Unfortunately, upon close examination of the methods, definitions of equilibrium in many cases were not specified or were lacking in stringency, which calls into question the accuracy of the data. In the end, only three of the 27 studies are recommended as being reliable for thermodynamic analysis or for validating sorption isotherm models.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ahmet K, Dai G, Tomlin R, Kaczmar P, Riddiough S (2000) The equilibrium moisture content of common U.K. species at three conditions of temperature and relative humidity. Forest Prod J 50:64
Anderson RB (1946) Modifications of the Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller equation. J Am Chem Soc 68:686–691. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja01208a049
Avramidis S (1989) Evaluation of 3-variable models for the prediction of equilibrium moisture-content in wood. Wood Sci Technol 23:251–257. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00367738
Avramidis S (1992) Enthalpy–entropy compensation and thermodynamic considerations in sorption phenomena. Wood Sci Technol 26:329–333. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00226074
Bahar R, Azzouz S, Remond R, Ouertani S, Elaieb MT, El Cafci MA (2017) Moisture sorption isotherms and thermodynamic properties of oak wood (Quercus robur and Quercus canariensis): optimization of the processing parameters. Heat Mass Transfer 53:1541–1552. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-016-1916-0
Ball RD, Simpson IG, Pang S (2001) Measurement, modelling and prediction of equilibrium moisture content in Pinus radiata heartwood and sapwood. Holz Roh Werkst 59:457–462. https://doi.org/10.1007/s001070100242
Bonoma B, Simo Tagne M (2005) A contribution to the study of the drying of ayous (Triplochiton scleroxylon) and of ebony (Diospyros ebenum). Phys Chem News 26:52–56
Bonoma B, Monkam L, Kaptouom E (2007) Determination of some physical and thermal characteristics of moabi. Academic open internet journal 20. https://www.acadjournal.com/2007/V20/Part5/P1/
Bratasz Ł, Kozłowska A, Kozłowski R (2012) Analysis of water adsorption by wood using the Guggenheim–Anderson–de Boer equation. Eur J Wood Prod 70:445–451. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-011-0571-x
Cao JZ, Kamdem DP (2004) Moisture adsorption thermodynamics of wood from fractal-geometry approach. Holzforschung 58:274–279. https://doi.org/10.1515/HF.2004.042
Choong ET (1962) Movement of moisture through a softwood (Abies sp.) in the hygroscopic range. PhD thesis. Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA, p 224
Choong ET (1963) Movement of moisture through a softwood in the hygroscopic range. Forest Prod J 13:489–498
de Boer JH (1953) Chapter 5. The quantity σ: unimolecular and multimolecular adsorption. In: de Boer JH (ed) The dynamical character of adsorption. Clarendon Press, Oxford, pp 54–89
Dent RW (1977) Multilayer theory for gas sorption 1. Sorption of a single gas. Text Res J 47:145–152. https://doi.org/10.1177/004051757704700213
Djolani B (1970) Hystérèse et effets de sceond ordre de la sorption d'humidité dans le bois aux températures de 5 °C, 21 °C, 35 °C et 50 °C [Hysteresis and second order effects of the moisture sorption in the wood at temperatures of 5 °C, 21 °C, 35 °C and 50 °C]. Note de recherches No.8. Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada, p 59
Djolani B (1972) Hysteresis and second order effects of the moisture sorption in the wood at temperatures of 5, 21, 35 and 50 Celsius. Ann Sci Forest 29:465–474
Esteban LG, Simón C, Fernández FG, de Palacios P, Martín-Sampedro R, Eugenio ME, Hosseinpourpia R (2015) Juvenile and mature wood of Abies pinsapo Boissier: sorption and thermodynamic properties. Wood Sci Technol 49:725–738. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-015-0730-z
Fan K, Hatzikiriakos SG, Avramidis S (1999) Determination of the surface fractal dimension from sorption isotherms of five softwoods. Wood Sci Technol 33:139–149. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002260050105
Fernández FG, Esteban LG, de Palacios P, Simón C, García-Iruela A, de la Fuente J (2014) Sorption and thermodynamic properties of Terminalia superba Engl. & Diels and Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum. through the 15, 35 and 50 °C sorption isotherms. Eur J Wood Prod 72:99–106. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-013-0752-x
Fredriksson M, Thybring EE (2018) Scanning or desorption isotherms? Characterising sorption hysteresis of wood. Cellulose 25:4477–4485. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-018-1898-9
Fredriksson M, Thybring EE (2019) On sorption hysteresis in wood: separating hysteresis in cell wall water and capillary water in the full moisture range. PLoS ONE 14:e0225111. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0225111
Glass SV, Zelinka SL (2010) Moisture relations and physical properties of wood. In: Ross RJ (ed) Wood handbook—Wood as an engineering material. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, WI, USA
Glass SV, Zelinka SL, Johnson JA (2014) Investigation of historic equilibrium moisture content data from the Forest Products Laboratory. General technical report FPL-GTR-229, US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, WI, USA
Glass SV, Boardman CR, Zelinka SL (2017) Short hold times in dynamic vapor sorption measurements mischaracterize the equilibrium moisture content of wood. Wood Sci Technol 51:243–260. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-016-0883-4
Glass SV, Boardman CR, Thybring EE, Zelinka SL (2018) Quantifying and reducing errors in equilibrium moisture content measurements with dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) experiments. Wood Sci Technol 52:909–927. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-018-1007-0
Greenspan L (1977) Humidity fixed-points of binary saturated aqueous-solutions. J Res NBS A Phys Ch 81:89–96
Greubel D, Drewes H (1987) Ermittlung der Sorptionsisothermen von Holzwerkstoffen bei verschiedenen Temperaturen mit einem neuen Meßverfahren [Determination of sorptional isotherms for wood based materials at various temperatures by a new measuring method]. Holz Roh Werkst 45:289–295. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02608677
Guggenheim EA (1966) Chapter 11. Localized monolayer and multilayer adsorption of gases. In: Guggenheim EA (ed) Applications of statistical mechanics. Clarendon Press, Oxford, pp 186–206
Hailwood AJ, Horrobin S (1946) Absorption of water by polymers: analysis in terms of a simple model. T Faraday Soc 42:B084–B092. https://doi.org/10.1039/TF946420B084
Hedlin CP (1967) Sorption isotherms of twelve woods at subfreezing temperatures. Forest Prod J 17:43–48
Hergt HFA, Christensen GN (1965) Variable retention of water by dry wood. J Appl Polym Sci 9:2345–2361. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.1965.070090703
Hill CAS, Norton A, Newman G (2009) The water vapor sorption behavior of natural fibers. J Appl Polym Sci 112:1524–1537. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.29725
Hill CAS, Norton AJ, Newman G (2010) The water vapour sorption properties of Sitka spruce determined using a dynamic vapour sorption apparatus. Wood Sci Technol 44:497–514. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-010-0305-y
Jakieła S, Bratasz Ł, Kozłowski R (2008) Numerical modelling of moisture movement and related stress field in lime wood subjected to changing climate conditions. Wood Sci Technol 42:21–37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-007-0138-5
Jannot Y, Kanmogne A, Talla A, Monkam L (2006) Experimental determination and modelling of water desorption isotherms of tropical woods: afzelia, ebony, iroko, moabi and obeche. Holz Roh Werkst 64:121–124. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-005-0051-2
Kelsey KE (1957) The sorption of water vapour by wood. Aust J Appl Sci 8:42–54
Koponen S (1985) Sorption isotherms of Finnish birch, pine and spruce. Pap Puu-Pap Och Tra 67:70–77
Koumoutsakos A, Avramidis S (1999) Enthalpy-entropy compensation in water sorption by various wood species. Holz Roh Werkst 57:379–382. https://doi.org/10.1007/s001070050363
Krupińska B, Strømmen I, Pakowski Z, Eikevik TM (2007) Modeling of sorption isotherms of various kinds of wood at different temperature conditions. Dry Technol 25:1463–1470. https://doi.org/10.1080/07373930701537062
Nakano T (2006) Analysis of the temperature dependence of water sorption for wood on the basis of dual mode theory. J Wood Sci 52:490–495. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10086-006-0807-2
Nkolo Meze’e YN, Noah Ngamveng J, Bardet S (2008) Effect of enthalpy–entropy compensation during sorption of water vapour in tropical woods: the case of Bubinga (Guibourtia Tessmanii J. Léonard; G. Pellegriniana J.L.). Thermochim Acta 468:1–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tca.2007.11.002
Nsouandélé JL, Tamba JG, Bonoma B (2018) Desorption isotherms of heavy (AZOBE, EBONY) and light heavyweight tropical woods (IROKO, SAPELLI) of Cameroon. Heat Mass Transfer 54:3089–3096. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-018-2350-2
Ouertani S, Azzouz S, Hassini L, Belghith A (2011) Palm wood drying and optimization of the processing parameters. Wood Mater Sci Eng 6:75–90. https://doi.org/10.1080/17480272.2010.551546
Ouertani S, Azzouz S, Hassini L, Koubaa A, Belghith A (2014) Moisture sorption isotherms and thermodynamic properties of Jack pine and palm wood: comparative study. Ind Crop Prod 56:200–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2014.03.004
Pidgeon LM, Maass O (1930) The adsorption of water by wood. J Am Chem Soc 52:1053–1069. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja01366a033
Rawat SPS, Khali DP (1998) Clustering of water molecules during adsorption of water in wood. J Polym Sci Pol Phys 36:665–671. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-0488(199803)36:4<665:AID-POLB12>3.0.CO;2-D
Ringman R, Beck G, Pilgård A (2019) The importance of moisture for brown rot degradation of modified wood: a critical discussion. Forests 10:522. https://doi.org/10.3390/f10060522
Robinson RA, Stokes RH (1949) Tables of osmotic and activity coefficients of electrolytes in aqueous solution at 25 °C. T Faraday Soc 45:612–624. https://doi.org/10.1039/TF9494500612
Siau JF (1995) Wood: influence of moisture on physical properties. Department of Wood Science and Forest Products, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg
Simón C, Esteban LG, de Palacios P, Fernández FG, Martín-Sampedro R, Eugenio ME (2015) Thermodynamic analysis of water vapour sorption behaviour of juvenile and mature wood of Abies alba Mill. J Mater Sci 50:7282–7292. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-015-9283-7
Simón C, Esteban LG, de Palacios P, Fernández FG, García-Iruela A (2016) Thermodynamic properties of the water sorption isotherms of wood of limba (Terminalia superba Engl. & Diels), obeche (Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum.), radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) and chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.). Ind Crop Prod 94:122–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2016.08.008
Simpson WT (1971) Equilibrium moisture content prediction for wood. Forest Prod J 21:48–49
Simpson WT (1973) Predicting equilibrium moisture content of wood by mathematical models. Wood Fiber Sci 5:41–49
Simpson W (1980) Sorption theories applied to wood. Wood Fiber 12:183–195
Skaar C (1988) Wood–water relations. Springer, New York
Stamm AJ (1964) Wood and cellulose science. The Ronald Press Company, New York
Stamm AJ, Loughborough WK (1935) Thermodynamics of the swelling of wood. J Phys Chem 39:121–132. https://doi.org/10.1021/j150361a009
Stokes RH, Robinson RA (1948) Ionic hydration and activity in electrolyte solutions. J Am Chem Soc 70:1870–1878. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja01185a065
Themelin A, Rebollo J, Thibaut A (1997) Method for defining the behaviour of lignocellulosic produces at sorption: application to tropical wood species. In: international conference of COST action E8 mechanical performance of wood and wood products: wood–water relations, June 16–17, Copenhagen, Denmark, pp 17–32
Thybring EE, Kymäläinen M, Rautkari L (2018) Experimental techniques for characterising water in wood covering the range from dry to fully water-saturated. Wood Sci Technol 52:297–329. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-017-0977-7
Thybring EE, Glass SV, Zelinka SL (2019) Kinetics of water vapor sorption in wood cell walls: state of the art and research needs. Forests 10:704. https://doi.org/10.3390/f10080704
Tveit A (1966) Measurements of moisture sorption and moisture permeability of porous materials. Norwegian Building Research Institute, Oslo, p 39
Weichert L (1963a) Investigations on sorption and swelling of spruce, beech and compressed beech wood at temperatures between 20 °C and 100 °C. Holz Roh Werkst 21:290–300. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02610962
Weichert L (1963b) Untersuchungen über das Sorptions- und Quellungsverhalten von Fichte, Buche und Buchenpressvollholz bei Temperaturen zwischen 20 °C und 100 °C [Investigations on sorption and swelling of spruce, beech and compressed beech wood at temperatures between 20 °C and 100 °C]. PhD thesis. TH München, Munich, Germany, 96 pp
Willems W (2015) A critical review of the multilayer sorption models and comparison with the sorption site occupancy (SSO) model for wood moisture sorption isotherm analysis. Holzforschung 69:67–75. https://doi.org/10.1515/hf-2014-0069
Willems W (2016) Equilibrium thermodynamics of wood moisture revisited: presentation of a simplified theory. Holzforschung 70:963–970. https://doi.org/10.1515/hf-2015-0251
Willems W (2018) Hygroscopic wood moisture: single and dimerized water molecules at hydroxyl-pair sites? Wood Sci Technol 52:777–791. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-018-0998-x
Yasuda R, Minato K, Norimoto M (1995) Moisture adsorption thermodynamics of chemically-modified wood. Holzforschung 49:548–554. https://doi.org/10.1515/hfsg.1995.49.6.548
Zelinka SL, Glass SV (2010) Water vapor sorption isotherms for southern pine treated with several waterborne preservatives. J Test Eval 38:521–525. https://doi.org/10.1520/JTE102696
Zelinka SL, Glass SV, Thybring EE (2018) Myth versus reality: Do parabolic sorption isotherm models reflect actual wood–water thermodynamics? Wood Sci Technol 52:1701–1706. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-018-1035-9
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Roger Hernández and Claudia Cáceres at Université Laval, QC, Canada, and Leandro Passarini, Collège Communautaire Du Nouveau-Brunswick, NB, Canada, for details about the Djolani studies; Stavros Avramidis at University of British Columbia, BC, Canada, for details about the Fan et al. study; Jinzhen Cao at Beijing Forestry University, China, for details about the Cao and Kamdem study; Klaus Richter and Tanja Greisinger, TU Munich, Germany, for details about the Weichert study as well as for providing a copy of Weichert’s thesis; and Roman Kozłowski at Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland, for details about the Jakieła et al. study.
Funding
Funding was provided by the US Forest Service and the University of Copenhagen.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Electronic supplementary material
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zelinka, S.L., Glass, S.V. & Thybring, E.E. Evaluation of previous measurements of water vapor sorption in wood at multiple temperatures. Wood Sci Technol 54, 769–786 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-020-01195-0
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-020-01195-0