Simulation in service of young teak wood floors

ABSTRACT

Hardwood floors has mechanical strength characteristics that allow its use in certain types of traffic. The basic density and hardness of the material are the main wood type of performance indicators, but due to its nature, it is subject to risks, damage by falling objects, drag, wear foot traffic, which affect its aesthetic and performance. Native species from the Amazon are the main used in Brazil for the manufacture of wood floors, however there are species from reforestation with potential use for this type of use. Simulated serving tests constitute an important quality assessment tool wood floors as a way to anticipate the response in terms of performance. In this sense this work was performed in order to evaluate the behavior in service of young hardwood floorsTectona grandis and thus support the potential use of this species widely planted in Brazil. There were simulated in-service testing (ASTM D2394-05) by evaluation of resistance to rolling load, indentation applied in small areas, falling-ball indentation, abrasion, friction coefficient, and determining surface roughness. The results showed low resistance to indentation applied in small areas and falling-ball indentation, moderate resistance to rolling load, favorable resistance to abrasion with potential for use in light to moderate traffic for domestic use. Finishing influenced the friction coefficient and surface roughness of wood.

Keywords:
teak; mechanical tests; surface roughness; mechanical strength