Microstructure-property relationship in varnished wood of string instruments

• Research unit: COST
• Project number: C15.0082

Key words (English)

Material hierarchy; wood-varnish interface; non-destructive testing; vibro-mechanics; neutron image analysis; sychrotron X-ray tomography

Research programs (English)

COST-Action FP1302 - WOOD MUSICK

Short description (English)

Wooden musical instruments are coated with a layer of varnish that has a protective, aesthetical and acoustical role. Varnish of string instruments made in Cremona in the 17th century are reputed for their exceptional quality, while the processes involved in making them have not been fully described. The structure of varnish and its interface with wood play a decisive role for the long term sound quality of string instruments. Contrary to studies on the chemistry of the varnish and prime in early musical instruments, vibro-mechanical properties of varnished wood have been less studied. These properties are mainly driven by physico-mechanical properties of the varnish, wood and their interface. In the proposed PhD project, vibro-mechanics of varnished wood in laboratory specimens, and also samples from historical and contemporary instruments, in relation to the hygroscopicity and structure of varnish and wood at sub-micron scales will be studied. State of the art characterization methods, e.g. neutron and synchrotron X radiation analysis and multi-scale mechanical tests supported by numerical analysis will be used for this reason. The ultimate goal is to contribute in establishing a platform for scientific understanding of the variation in mechanics, sorptivity and vibration of varnished wood and to support the engineering of a new generation of high quality varnishes for string instruments.

Partners and International Organizations (English)

AT; BE; BG; CZ; DK; FI; FR; DE; EL; HU; IE; IL; IT; NL; NO; PL; PT; RO; RS; Sl; ES; UK; IS; SE; JP

Abstract (English)

See short description

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: COST-DB of the State Secretariat for Education and Research Hallwylstrasse 4 CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland Tel. [phone] Swiss Project-Number: C15.0082