### What is Moisture Content in Wood? Moisture content in wood refers to the amount of water present in the wood's structure relative to its oven-dry weight. It is a crucial factor affecting the wood's properties and performance in various applications. ### Impact of Moisture Content on Wood Properties **1. Dimensional Stability:** As wood absorbs moisture, it swells. Conversely, when it loses moisture, it shrinks. Proper moisture content control is essential to maintain dimensional stability and prevent warping or cracking. **2. Mechanical Strength:** Higher moisture content generally reduces the wood's strength and stiffness. Moisture can weaken the bond between wood fibers, making it more susceptible to bending or breaking. **3. Biological Susceptibility:** Wood with high moisture content is more prone to decay and damage by fungi and insects. Excess moisture creates a favorable environment for these organisms to thrive. **4. Thermal Conductivity:** Wet wood has lower thermal conductivity than dry wood. This means that moist wood does not transmit heat as efficiently, affecting insulation properties.