Francisco Antonio Rocco Lahr

Alternative castor oil-based polyurethane adhesive used in the production of plywood

Plywood is normally produced with urea-formaldehyde and/or phenol-formaldehyde adhesives. However, the former is considerably toxic and environmentally damaging, while the latter is expensive, thus motivating the search for alternative raw materials in plywood production. The castor oil-based polyurethane adhesive developed at the Sao Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of Sao Paulo, is an environmentally friendly vegetal oil-based polymer that is harmless to humans. The wood species Eucalyptus grandis offers favorable properties for plywood the manufacture. The study reported on here involved the use of castor oil-based polyurethane adhesive to produce plywood with Eucalyptus grandis layers. The plywoods performance was evaluated based on the results of physical and mechanical tests recommended by the Brazilian code, ABNT. Tests results showed higher values than those reported in the literature and recommended by the ABNT, indicating that the castor oil-based polyurethane adhesive is a promising glue for the manufacture of plywood.

Sugarcane bagasse and castor oil polyurethane adhesive-based particulate composite

This paper discusses the potential use of sugarcane bagasse in two different fiber lengths (5 mm and 8 mm) of the same density as a raw material for the production of particleboards, using castor oil-based two-component polyurethane adhesive. The quality of the product that can be manufactured industrially was evaluated based on density, thickness swell (TS), absorption (WA), modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR) in static bending and internal bond (IB), according to the Brazilian NBR 14.810:2006 standard. The results revealed a significant difference between the particleboards made with 5-mm-long fibers and those made with 8-mm-long fibers. An analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicates that the interparticle spaces are filled with castor oil-based two-component polyurethane adhesive, contributing to improve the physicomechanical properties of the particleboards. A durability assessment based on accelerated aging tests shows that waterproofed particleboards can be used in moist environments.

Accelerated artificial aging of particleboards from residues of CCB treated Pinus sp. and castor oil resin

Tests simulating exposure to severe weather conditions have been relevant in seeking new applications for particleboard. This study aimed to produce particleboards with residues of CCB (chromium-copper-boron oxides) impregnated Pinus sp. and castor oil-based polyurethane resin, and to evaluate their performance before and after artificial accelerated aging. Panels were produced with different particle mass, resin content and pressing time, resulting eight treatments. Particles moisture and size distribution were determined, beyond panel physical and mechanical properties, according to NBR14810-3: 2006. After characterization, treatments B and G (small adhesive consumption and better mechanical performance, respectively) were chosen to artificial aging tests. Statistical results analysis showed best performances were achieved for waterproof aged samples, of both B and G treatments. As example, in treatment B, MOR and MOE values were 23 MPa and 2,297 MPa, samples before exposure; 26 MPa and 3,185 MPa, 32 MPa and 3,982 MPa for samples after exposure (non-sealed and sealed), respectively.

Wood-polymer composite: physical and mechanical properties of some wood species impregnated with styrene and methyl methacrylate

This study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining wood-polymer composites (WPC) displaying a performance superior to that of untreated wood from reforested genera. To this end, wood samples of Pine (Pinus caribaea) and Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus grandis), whose density is compatible with this process, were impregnated with the polymeric monomers styrene and methyl methacrylate, using benzoyl peroxide to initiate the polymerization process forming free radicals. The vacuum-pressure method was used to impregnate the samples with monomer-initiator solution. The results indicated a significant improvement of all the properties investigated, including dimensional stability, for the Pine-WPC, while Eucalyptus-WPC, owing to the woods low permeability, showed only increased values of hardness parallel and perpendicular to grain.

Hybrid Reinforcement of Sisal and Polypropylene Fibers in Cement-Based Composites

Several studies using vegetable fibers as the exclusive reinforcement in fiber-cement composites have shown acceptable mechanical performance at the first ages. However, after the exposure to accelerated aging tests, these composites have shown significant reduction in the toughness or increase in embrittlement. This was mainly attributed to the improved fiber-matrix adhesion and fiber mineralization after aging process. The objective of the present research was to evaluate composites produced by the slurry dewatering technique followed by pressing and air curing, reinforced with combinations of polypropylene fibers and sisal kraft pulp at different pulp freeness. The physical properties, mechanical performance, and microstructural characteristics of the composites were evaluated before and after accelerated and natural aging. Results showed the great contribution of pulp refinement on the improvement of the mechanical strength in the composites. Higher intensities of refinement resulted in higher modulus of rupture for the composites with hybrid reinforcement after accelerated and natural aging. The more compact microstructure was due to the improved packing of the mineral particles with refined sisal pulp. The toughness of the composites after aging was maintained in relation to the composites at 28 days of cure.

Metodologia para o cálculo dos módulos de elasticidade longitudinal e transversal em vigas de madeira de dimensões estruturais

This paper proposed a test method to obtain the shear (G) and longitudinal (E) modulus of elasticity in timber beams with structural dimensions, based on the static three-points bending tests and the Euler Bernoulli and Timoshenko beams theories. The woods tested were the Corymbia citriodora and Pinus elliottii. The results revealed that the longitudinal modulus of elasticity of Pinus elliottii is 18.70 greater than the shear modulus, and 21.16 greater than the shear modulus of Corymbia citriodora, being consistent this results when compared to the proposed by the Brazilian standard ABNT NBR 7190:1997 (Design of Wood Structures), being the longitudinal modulus of elasticity twenty times greater than the shear modulus.

Tenacidade da madeira como função da densidade aparente

The knowledge on the behavior of wood in situations of short load contributes to the development of a safer structural design. However, toughness is not part of the mechanical properties commonly investigated in the characterization of this material. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate, the possibility to estimate the toughness with the knowledge of the apparent density of 6 Brazilian tropical wooden species (Angico, Eucalyptus, Jatoba, Parica, Pine and Teak), by using linear, quadratic and cubic polynomial regression models. The results highlighted the significance and representation of all adjustments investigated, and the cubic polynomial was the most efficient for estimating the wood toughness.

The position effect of structural Eucalyptus round timber on the flexural modulus of elasticity

Round timber has great use in civil construction, performing the function of beams, columns, foundations, poles for power distribution among others, with the advantage of not being processed, such as lumber. The structural design of round timber requires determining the elastic properties, mainly the modulus of elasticity. The Brazilian standards responsible for the stiffness and strength determination of round timber are in effect for over twenty years with no technical review. Round timber, for generally present an axis with non-zero curvature according to the position of the element in the bending test, may exhibit different values of modulus of elasticity. This study aims to analyze the position effect of Eucalyptus grandis round timber on the flexural modulus of elasticity. The three-point bending test was evaluated in two different positions based on the longitudinal rotation of the round timber element. The results revealed that at least two different positions of the round timber element are desired to obtain significant modulus of elasticity.

Influence of wood moisture content on the modulus of elasticity in compression parallel to the grain

Brazilian Standard ABNT NBR7190:1997 for timber structures design, adopts a first degree equation to describe the influence of wood moisture content. Periodically, when necessary, the referred standard is revised in order to analyze inconsistencies and to adopt considerations according new realities verified. So, the present paper aims to examine the adequacy of its equation which corrects to 12% of moisture the values of rigidity properties obtained on experimental tests. To quantify the moisture influence on modulus of elasticity, it was applied tests of compression parallel to the grain for six specimens of different strength classes, considering nominal moisture of 12; 20; 25; 30%. As results, modulus of elasticity in the moisture range 25-30% showed statistically equivalents, and was obtained a first degree equation to correlate the studied variables which leads to statically equivalent estimations when compared with results by ABNT NBR7190:1997 equation. However, it was indicated to maintain the current expression for the next text of the referred document review, without prejudice to statistical significance of the estimates.

Production and characterization of MDF using eucalyptus fibers and castor oil-based polyurethane resin

The growing popularity of wooden panels renders this market segment increasingly competitive. MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard), in particular, is widely employed for a variety of applications, including civil construction, furniture, and packaging. This paper discusses a study of MDF produced from alternative raw materials, i.e., Eucalyptus fibers and castor-oil-based polyurethane resin. Physical and mechanical tests were performed to determine the MDFs modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture in static bending tests, its swelling, water absorption, moisture and density. The results of the physical and mechanical characterization of this laboratory-produced MDF are discussed and compared with the Euro MDF Board standard. MDF produced with eucalyptus fiber and castor-oil-based polyurethane resin presents results very satisfactory.