Abrasive wear properties of compressed sugi wood

Abstract

We examined the abrasive wear properties and the effect of abrasive grain size on the rate of wear when sugi wood (Cryptomeria japonica D.Don), compressed to various densities, was rubbed with abrasive paper. The results showed that the wear resistance of compressed wood increased linearly with the increased compression ratio; and under the condition of a low compression ratio it tended to be higher in comparison with the strength of compressed wood. The critical grain size effect, which can be witnessed during the abrasive wear of metals and plastics, was seen when low pressure was applied to the abrasive material. At higher pressures, the wear rate of the compressed wood increased with grain size, but the critical grain size effect was not observed. The pressure required to create the critical grain size effect was found to be higher than that needed for other types of uncompressed wood with the same yield properties.