Conventional Low-density Particleboards Produced With Particles From Mauritia Flexuosa and Eucalyptus Spp. Wood

Abstract

The use of alternative raw materials to produce particleboards is an interesting strategy to add value to lignocellulosic biomass and diversify the forest products industry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential for using Mauritia flexuosa particles in association with Eucalyptus spp. wood for the production of particleboards. Prior to the production of the panels, the raw materials were evaluated for basic density and chemical composition. The panels were produced with particles of Eucalyptus spp. and Mauritia flexuosa in mass proportions of 100/0%, 90/10%, 80/20%, 70/30% and 60/40%, respectively. The quality of the particleboards was evaluated by water absorption and thickness swelling, internal bonding and static bending tests. As Eucalyptus spp. particles were replaced by Mauritia flexuosa, the panels showed less dimensional stability, due to the fact that the compression ratio increased due to the lower density of Mauritia flexuosa particles. The substitution of 1% of Mauritia flexuosa particles caused a reduction of 10.49 MPa for MOE, 0.09 MPa for MOR and 0.01 MPa for internal bonding. The results demonstrate that it is feasible to replace up to 17.5% of Eucalyptus spp. wood with particles from Mauritia flexuosa so that the panels have physical and mechanical properties appropriate to the marketing standards.