Some properties of wood of Diospyros decandra Lour used for making wood - blocks conserved at Bo Da and Vinh Nghiem pagodas in Bac Giang province

Abstract

Wood of Diospyros decandra Lour has been chosen for use in producing
woodblocks, the precious cultural heritage, existing for hundreds of years
at Vinh Nghiem and Bo Da pagodas in Bac Giang province. Wood of
Diospyros decandra was clarified that the wood is smooth, uniform, high
density and good impact resistance. Wood after drying, air - dry moisture
content around 13 - 15% has a low moisture absorption and water
absorption. Therefore, it is the suitable timber for producing woodblocks
to ensure the long - term of use and the quality of printing. However, the
volumetric shrinkage coefficient is medium, the tangential direction/radial
direction ratio of shringkage and swelling is high so the woodblocks
highly recommended to be kept in an environment with stable temperature
and humidity to limit the nature of defects such as cracks, curve or buckle.
The physical, mechanical properties and chemical composition of the
wood of Diospyros decandra are the bases for the proposed measures for
preserving woodblocks at Vinh Nghiem and Bo Da pagodas.