Investigation of the Bending Behavior of Scots Pine Wood at Cryogenic Temperatures

Abstract

In this study, conducted with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) wood samples, the bending strength behavior of the wood under the effects of room temperature and cryogenic temperature (-196 °C) was tested and examined. Air-dried pine samples were immersed in liquid nitrogen for ten minutes to create cryogenic conditions. The wood samples exposed to cryogenic temperatures were immediately subjected to a three-point bending test after the process, before the pine wood samples returned to the ambient temperature. The bending strength of the pine samples in the control group was tested at room temperature. As a result of the experiments conducted, the bending strength of wood samples in a cryogenic environment was approximately 34% higher than that of the control group of Scots pine wood samples. According to the force-strain curve graph obtained from the numerical data, the wood samples exhibited lower deformation and higher rigidity at cryogenic temperatures. At room temperature, the wood samples exhibited more ductile behavior. Cryogenic conditions increased the bending strength and rigidity of Scots pine wood samples. Therefore, cryogenic treatments applied to Scots pine wood intended for low-temperature applications can enhance its mechanical properties.

Keywords

• Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)
• Cryogenic temperature
• Liquid nitrogen
• Bending strength
• Mechanical properties.

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