Abstract
The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of thermal modifications, at different temperatures and exposure times, on the technological properties of mixed particleboard / OSB panels made out of Eucalyptus badjensis. Using the wood of Eucalyptus badjensis, Particleboard, OSB and mixed Particleboard/OSB panels (control and thermally modified) were manufactured. The mixed panels’ thermal modification was carried out under three temperatures (180ºC, 200ºC and 220ºC) and two exposure times (10 minutes and 12 minutes). For the panels’ manufacturing, 6% of phenol-formaldehyde adhesive and 1% of paraffin were employed, which was calculated based on the particles’ dry mass. The water absorption and thickness swelling properties were evaluated after 2 and 24 hours of immersion, in addition to the panels’ modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture and internal bond. Based on the results, we were able to conclude that the thermal modification affected most of the physical properties positively. From the different exposure times studied, the most effective one was the period of 12 minutes, especially for water absorption after 2 hours, which caused a reduction of 11.27%. In turn, the most effective temperature was of 220ºC, highlighting the thickness swelling after 24 hours, which caused a swelling decrease of 23.76% in comparison with the control panels. Regarding the mechanical properties, the thermal modification, in terms of the studied exposure times and temperatures, did not affect the results of the mixed particleboard /OSB panels.
Highlights
The species Eucalyptus badjensis Beuzev. & Welch is very promising for commercial plantations in Brazil, mainly due to its high resistance to frosts and rapid growth, which can reach over 4 meters high in four years
The results prove that different exposure times and thermal modification temperatures improve the panels’ dimensional stability, while only the treatment at 220oC promoted a reduction of the modulus of elasticity values
The fact that density and compaction ratio were not influenced by the thermal modification can be explained by the exposure times and applied temperatures, which were not able to reduce the density
Summary
The species Eucalyptus badjensis Beuzev. & Welch is very promising for commercial plantations in Brazil, mainly due to its high resistance to frosts and rapid growth, which can reach over 4 meters high in four years. & Welch is very promising for commercial plantations in Brazil, mainly due to its high resistance to frosts and rapid growth, which can reach over 4 meters high in four years It is especially indicated for high-altitude locations, such as the Santa Catarina Plateau and Southern Paraná (HIGA et al, 2002; SANTOS et al, 2015). In Brazil, the particleboard production of 2018 totaled 3.24 million m3, putting the country among the top eight greatest particleboard world producers (IBÁ, 2019). This type of panel can be used in cladding systems, floors, doors and others (Marzbani et al, 2015). Particleboards do not meet the strength requirements required for structural purposes
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