Visualising Wooden Objects with an Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope.

Mark IRLE
École supérieure du bois, Atlanpole - 44036 Nantes Cedex 3

Wood is a hygroscopic material and so its dimensions and mechanical properties change with its moisture content. Standard electron microscopy requires a near perfect vacuum to obtain clear images and such conditions cause wood samples to dry very rapidly.

An ESEM uses a partial vacuum and this together with a cooling stage permits the analysis of humid, and even saturated, specimens. Consequently, it is possible to view wood that has never been dried and is in its natural state.