In situ visualization with time of wood microcrack occurring during drying

利用激光共聚焦扫描显微镜(CLSM)对木材干燥过程中产生的微裂纹进行了原位观察。通过在专门的环境舱中精确控制相对湿度和温度，可以在绿色条件下获取干燥过程中柳杉、相思树(A.mangium×A.aurruliformis)和苦荞的连续图像。我们的技术使得讨论干燥过程中含水率与微裂纹形成的关系成为可能，并阐明了木材结构与微裂纹特征的关系。我们发现CLSM技术是可视化微裂纹扩展随时间变化的一种有效方法。

The microcracks occurring during drying of wood were visualized in situ under confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Precise control of relative humidity and temperature in a specialized environment chamber made it possible to acquire sequential images of the woods of Cryptomeria japonica, Acacia hybrid (A.mangium×A.auriculiformis) and Melia azedarach during drying from the green condition. Our technique made it possible to discuss the relationship between moisture content and microcrack formation during drying and clarified relationship of wood structures to microcrack characteristics. We found the CLSM technique to be an effective method for visualizing microcrack propagation with time.