TY - JOUR AU - Bremaud, I. AU - Minato, K. AU - Langbour, P. AU - Thibaut, B. PY - 2010// TI - Physico-chemical indicators of inter-specific variability in vibration damping of wood T2 - Ann. For. Sci. JO - Annals of Forest Science SP - 707 VL - 67 IS - 7 PB - EDP SCIENCES S A KW - damping coefficient KW - diversity of woods KW - extractives KW - physical properties KW - vibrational properties N2 - The vibration damping coefficient (tan delta) of wood is an important property for acoustical uses, including musical instruments. Current difficulties in the availability of some of the preferred species call for diversification, but this comes up against the lack of systematic damping coefficient data. Keeping in mind the possible factors affecting tans, could we predict its variations between species, by using indicators that are either easily measured and/or readily available for many species? Vibrational properties, equilibrium moisture content and colorimetric parameters were assessed on 94 wood types belonging to 76 species. Experimental results were then related to data on chemical contents and physical properties from the CIRAD database. The "standard" relationship between tan delta and specific modulus of elasticity (E'/rho) explained only half of the variations. Deviations from this trend were correlated to extractives content, yet effects were not directly quantitative. Damping deviations were also correlated to colour and moisture-related properties, especially so with fibre saturation point. By taking into account a combination of moisture-related properties, colour – or extractives content, and the "standard" relationship between tans and E'/rho, we could propose simple predictive models which explain up to 89% of observed variations in tan delta between 48 species. SN - 1286-4560 N1 - ISI:000283532000007 ID - Bremaud_etal2010 ER -