ABSTRACT
The objective of this work was to investigate the quality of particleboards made with Eucalyptus saligna wood residues, resulting from the chiping of logs for pulp production. The boards were producted with two types of residues, sticks and sawdust, used pure. The adhesive used was urea-formaldehyde resin in proportions of 4, 8 and 12% (based on ovendry weight of wood particles) and the nominal densities were 0.55, 0.65 and 0.75 g/cm3. Bending properties, internal bond, screw withdrawal, water absorption and thickness swelling ware evaluated. The results indicated that the bending properties, internal bond and screw withdrawal were slightly higher with the sawdust type residue than boards made with sticktype residue. For water absorption, the values increased with the reduction of the density, for both type of particles. Thickness swelling increased with the reduction of resin proportion, independent of the type of residue used. Results showed that using both particles type with larger resin proportion and larger densities, boards with acceptable quality can be made.
Keywords:
particleboard; Eucalyptus saligna; urea formaldehyde; residues of wood.