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Wood and thermal conductivity. Environments that forge bonds and let the senses take flight. |
Thermal Conductivity » Introduction |
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Wood is a bad heat conductor. Even without technical knowledge of wood’s thermal conductivity, this is a fact that is just everyday common sense: we learn from an early age that wood is a better insulator than a conductor of heat. This physical characteristic – that of low conductivity – primarily comes down to the composition and organisation of its xylematic tissue. The cells that wood is made up of contain a high proportion of cellulose, which is a bad conductor. Furthermore, the xylem structure allows countless air pockets to be caught within it, functioning in the same way as insulating foam. The thermal conductivity of a species depends on its specific weight and the moisture level in the wood. The higher the specific weight and the greater the moisture content, the higher is the wood’s heat conducting capacity. Dry woods with a consistent moisture level perform better as insulators. |