Investigation Of Thermal Properties Of Naturally Seasoned Dry Macaranga Barteri Timber Board

Abstract

Steady-state thermal conductivity measurements of naturally seasoned African thorn tree (Macaranga barteri) timer boards were carried out. Other thermal and physical properties such as specific heat capacity, thermal resistivity, density, thermal absorptivity and diffusivity as well as percentage of dead air space (v/v) were also determined for the wood samples. The results showed that Macaranga barteri timber board, naturally seasoned to dryness has thermal conductivity of 0.0692±0.0061 Wm-1K-1 mean specific heat capacity value of 1898.389±19.831JKg- 1K-1, thermal absorptivity and diffusivity values of 18.4226±1.3332m-1 and (1.0731±0.1560) x 10-7m2s-1 respectively. It has a bulk density of 339.82±15.49Kgm-3 and particle density of 413.53±28.18 with 17.82±1.81% as mean percentage volume of dead air space. These results are comparable with those of the conventional
insulators, hence the wood material is a potential thermal insulator for building design.