Microwave Characterization of Chadian Palmyra Wood (Borassus aethiopum)

Overview & Synopsis

The palmyra (Borassus aethiopum) is a palm native to tropical regions of Africa. It is a tall palm, capable of growing up to 30m high. Its anatomical structure shows that it is a composite material consisting of long fibers visible to the naked eye. The fibers are oriented parallel to the direction of growth of the trunk giving the palmyra a high mechanical resistance. In Chad (Central Africa), its wood is widely used in the construction of traditional and modern houses. Unfortunately, there is very little scientific research about the palmyra characteristics. In this article, we propose a microwave analysis of the anisotropic properties of the palmyra wood aged of about 30 years. A free-space transmission ellipsometry is used for this purpose. The experimental measurements performed at microwave frequency (10 GHz) are presented and discussed.