Use of Five Eucalyptus Species to the Manufacture of Oriented Strand Board

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to assess the technical feasibility of using five Eucalyptus species to manufacture Oriented Strand Boards. The species studied were: Eucalyptus benthamii, Eucalyptus dunni, Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus saligna, Eucalyptus urograndis the mixture between them and the Pinus taeda as control. The panels composed by a mix of species showed dimensional stability similar to others produced with Eucalyptus pure species. The panels of Eucalyptus had lower water absorption and thickness swelling values to the controls panels. In static bending, the MOR values did not show statistics differences between treatments, however, for MOE the Eucalyptus panels showed statistically higher values when compared to control specie. In internal bond, the panels produced with Pinus taeda showed higher average value than the other species. All species as well as the mixture showed technical feasibility for the production of Oriented Strand Board.

Keywords:
short rotation; oriented strandboard; fast growing species; structural and non-structural panels; phenol-formaldehyde