To prevent deformation and cracking of waterlogged archaeological wood, polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a bulk impregnation agent is commonly applied. PEG maintains the wood in a swollen state during drying. However, swelling of wood can reduce its mechanical properties. In this study, the cellular structure of oak and cell wall swelling was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of transverse cross-sections, and the microfibril angle of oak fibers was determined by wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS). Samples of recent European oak (Quercus robur L) impregnated with PEG (molecular weight of 600) were tested in axial tension and radial compression. Mechanical tests showed that axial tensile modulus and strength were only slightly affected by PEG, whereas radial compressive modulus and yield strength were reduced by up to 50%. This behavior can be explained by the microstructure and deformation mechanisms of the material. Microfibril angles in tensile test samples were close to zero. This implies tensile loading of cellulose microfibrils within the fiber cell walls without almost any shear in the adjacent amorphous matrix. These results are important because they can help separate the impact of PEG on mechanical properties from that of chemical degradation in archaeological artifacts, which display only small to moderate biological degradation.

The mechanical behaviour of European oak (Quercus robur L.) was studied in radial and tangential compression. Young's modulus and the yield strength were approximately 1.7- and 1.6-fold higher, respectively, in the radial direction. Strain fields were determined by digital speckle photography (DSP). Strains and the effective Poisson ratio could be determined separately in earlywood and latewood during deformation and failure events. In radial compression, strain data showed that rays contributed significantly to the high modulus. In addition, multiseriate ray microbuckling was observed to control yield strength. The microbuckling was localised in the low-density earlywood. In tangential compression, yield strength was controlled by vessel collapse in the low-density regions of the latewood. The strain field data provide direct evidence that the rays are the main micro-structural factor controlling transverse anisotropy in European oak.

Damage on the hull of the 17th century Swedish warship Vasa has been observed recently. Damage in the form of indentations in the wood is caused by high compressive loads from the support structure. In the process of developing an improved support structure, radial mechanical properties and the deformation mechanisms of Vasa oak are particularly important. Causes of differences in PEG content and oak degradation are also of interest. The radial modulus and compressive strength of Vasa oak are 50% lower than for recent oak. Furthermore, a significant change in failure mechanism is observed. More brittle separation fracture of the rays of Vasa oak is observed compared to the continuous folds of rays in recent oak. Tangential stiffness and strength are also 30% and 50% lower, respectively. Comparably small differences in moisture absorption between PEG-extracted Vasa oak and recent oak indicate a low extent of degradation of the Vasa oak.