Vascular bundle shape in cross-section and relaxation properties of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens)

The variation in the longitudinal and radial direction of the R/T ratio which is the ratio of the radially maximum length (R) to the tangentially maximum width (T) of a vascular bundle and area ratio of vascular bundles, which are cross-sectional image features of bamboo, and the relationships between the R/T ratio or area ratio and relaxation behavior were investigated. These image features varied characteristically in the longitudinal and radial directions. Relationships between these image features and relaxation behavior were evaluated using the instantaneous creep compliance ln[J (0)] and the creep intensity ln [J(3 × 104) − J (0)]. Although both instantaneous compliance and creep intensity decreased as density increased, their dependence properties were remarkably different. Instantaneous compliance was strongly correlated with R/T ratio and density, which was related to the area ratio, whereas creep intensity was weakly correlated with density in a given range. The results indicate a difference between the two relaxation properties, because creep intensity depends more on microstructures, such as the conformation of molecular chains in the substance, or interactions among cells than on R/T ratio and area ratio image features.