Concerns About a Variance Approach to the X-ray Diffractometric Estimation of Microfibril Angle in Wood

摘要

Microfibril angle (MFA) is the angle between the direction of crystalline cellulose fibrils in the cell wall and the longitudinal direction of the cell. There is a strong belief that the MFA of the S2 layer of the woody cell wall is a critical factor in the mechanical behavior of wood. The S2 MFA appears to have a significant influence, and shrinkage of wood. Thus, rapid estimation of MFA from the scanning of cores has been developed as a method for comparing and improving silvicultural practices, and as a technique for identifying superior trees. Evans (1999) provides the theoretical justication for a 'variance approach' to estimating MFA from the X-ray diffraction patterns.