Water Absorption, Moisture Content, and Capillarity Action in Wood: A Comparative Analysis of Fir, Pine, Beech, and Oak

Unique properties of wood such as being porous and ability to absorb water and capillary action make it widely used in many applications. It is important to understand how different types of wood absorb water and move it through capillaries when using it in construction or home furniture. This article investigates the water absorption properties, moisture content, and capillarity actions of four common species of wood in Albania: Pine, Fir, Beech, and Oak. The experiment consists of partial and total immersion of the samples in water in order to measure capillarity action in the wood after 12, 24, 36, and 72 hours of partial immersion in water, and water content after the full submersion in water. The moisture content was checked through a specific device every time frame at the highest level of water capillarity. Meanwhile, water intake (absorption) was calculated using the appropriate formula during dry and wet phases, after the total submersion in water. The detailed comparative analysis of the results is elaborated using statistical software like IBM SPSS Statistics 27 and through the graphs elaborated in Microsoft Excel. Beech and Oak were found to absorb and retain more water during both immersion and drying, reflecting their higher moisture retention capacity. However, their low capillarity action suggests that water movement within these woods is limited, likely due to their denser cellular structures. On the other hand, Pine and Fir showed lower moisture retention overall but exhibited higher capillarity, indicating that water moves more easily through their structures. The study investigates the specific anatomical structures they possess and their compositions that determine these features and make them suitable for other purposes. Understanding these distinct properties is essential for choosing the right wood type for construction and design projects, particularly in fluctuating moisture levels.