Qualidade da madeira de Hevea brasiliensis visando a produção de celulose e papel

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the wood species Hevea brasiliensis for its use in the manufacture of cellulose and paper. Three trees of the Pb 235 clone were cut. Discs of positions 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the commercial height were obtained. Chemical, physical and anatomical analysis of the wood was performed. The species presented average values of holocellulose of 80.83%, compatible with Eucalyptus wood traditionally used in cellulose and paper production. In relation to the obtained values of average size of the fibers (length, width, lumen diameter and wall thickness), these were close to those found in the literature. Regarding the Runkel Index, it was possible to classify the fiber of Hevea brasiliensis as good for papermaking, but with respect to the Wall Fraction, the fiber is above the limit. As for the coefficient of flexibility, it is below the recommended level and the index of enfeltramento is in the ideal range. The average basic density obtained was 0.541 g/cm³, value close to that found in the literature, which allowed its classification as medium density wood. After analysis of the results it was possible to consider Hevea brasiliensis wood as a promising species for cellulose and paper production.