Measurement of photodegradation-caused roughness of wood using a new optical method.

The aim of this study was to clarify the intensity of the surface roughening of wood caused by light radiation using a fast optical method. The samples were irradiated by mercury lamp and the roughness change was monitored traditionally using a perthometer. The infrared (IR) diffuse reflectance spectrum was measured and the baseline shift was found to be a proper parameter to monitor the roughening effect of photodegradation.