Role of density in the erosion of wood during weathering

Samples of 12 hardwoods and 6 softwoods were subjected to artificial weathering. The rate of surface erosion was measured with a light microscope at exposure intervals of 600 hours. Results show that the rate of erosion per unit of time depends on wood density and thus on wood cell wall thickness. The relationship is approximately linear within a density range 0.3-1.0 g/cm 3 . -- AATA