Analysing the effect of bending process on microstructure of Grevillea robusta wood

Photomicroscopy allows for a detailed analysis of the cellular composition of wood, providing invaluable insights into the cellular structure, with remarkable spatial resolution. The present study was carried out on a bentwood sample of Grevillea robusta , to assess the impact of wood bending process on the microstructure of wood at various bending positions using photomicrography. It was observed that the bentwood exhibited a higher incidence of defects in terms of curvature length, particularly evident between block numbers 11 and 15 in the form of splits. Interestingly, a greater number of splits were observed on the curvature side in comparison to the arm sections. Notably, block numbers 11, 13, and 15 displayed 16, 15, and 14 splits per mm ² respectively. The study provides insights on the influence of bending forces on various hardwood structural elements. It was observed that, when subjected to bending, thick walled cells are evidently more susceptible to developing splits or fractures in contrast to their thin-walled counterparts, such as ray parenchyma or axial parenchyma. This indicates that different cell types react differently under stress conditions, emphasizing the necessity of assessing detailed structure of wood species before subjecting them to such stress, particularly in the context of bending. In summary, this study underscores the importance of understanding how various wood species respond to stress conditions, ultimately informing best practices for their utilization.