ABSTRACT:
This paper aimed to evaluate the effects of particle size and the use of lime as a pretreatment of Pinus spp wood particles on the production of wood-cement composites by vibro-compaction densification. Specimens for internal bond and static bending were produced with two different particle sizes: G1, particles that pass through a 4mm screen and were retained at 2mm screen, and G2, particles that pass through a 2mm screen and were retained at 0.84mm screen. The use of lime was also tested in two different methods as pretreatment of wood particles: carbonatation of wood particles before being used in the composite mixture; and addition of hydrated lime directly to the composite mixture. Use of larger particles (G1) presented higher values of internal bond and MOR than composites produced with smaller particles (G2). About the pretreatments, the use of hydrated lime resulted in composites with higher density and better internal bond.
Key words:
particle sizes; pretreatment; formation method; low-density panels