• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.229-236
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of gamma radiation on cell wall degradation, cellulose crystallinity, and flexural strength of Pinus densiflrora, Zelkova serrenata, and Paulownia tomentosa. By the gamma radiation at the dose up to 100 kGy, the cell wall degradation was not detected with scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation from all samples, and the flexural strength was not significantly changed. Cellulose crystallinity was neither changed by the gamma radiation. This high stability of wood against gamma radiation means that the radiation technology can be used for eradicating fungal and insect infestation of wood without the changes in wood properties.