CORK HYGROSCOPIC EQUILIBRIUM MOISTURE-CONTENT

This work is related to the establishment of the curves of cork moistu re content in hygroscopic equilibrium (HEM curves), which allow to pre dict the moisture content of cork planks, one of the most important pa rameters in cork trading and processing. HEM curves for 20 degrees C a nd 40 degrees C based on an empirical model related to experimental da ta, were mathematically treated in order to set a series of curves in steps of 5 degrees C. These curves were transformed in a more usual di splay of the hygroscopic equilibrium moisture content, for the most co mmon temperature and humidity ranges and tested against experimental d ata using two cork types.