Agglomerated panels produced with Ateleia glazioviana Baill. wood

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the technological properties of medium-density panels made from wood particles of the species Ateleia glazioviana Baill. The trees, 25 years old, were collected in Santa Maria, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, where the species occurs naturally. The logs were sawn into boards, reduced to flake particles and then processed in a hammer mill to obtain two particle sizes (2.45 and 1.0 mm). Two treatments were carried out: T1 with a homogeneous mat of mixed particles from both obtained sizes, and T2 with a multi-layer configuration with different particle sizes in the outer and inner layers (proportion 40:60:40). The urea-formaldehyde adhesive was applied with a spray gun inside a rotating drum at a concentration of 10% (dry weight basis) with a catalyst (ammonium sulphate) and a 1% paraffin emulsion. The particle mattress, with dimensions of 40 x 40 x 0.95 cm, was pre-pressed at room temperature for 5 minutes, followed by pressing at a temperature of 180 ºC for 8 minutes and a pressure of 2.94 MPa. After conditioning, the specimens were cut according to the Brazilian standard, and physical tests were carried out to determine the moisture content, density, compaction rate, water absorption and swelling in thickness. The mechanical tests conducted were for determining static bending, internal bonding, and surface screw withdrawal. The results demonstrated the feasibility of using Ateleia glazioviana Baill wood in the production of particleboard, with an indication for use where high mechanical strength is not required and limited to indoor environments.