Low-density particleboard properties produced with jupati particles and eucalyptus wood

Abstract

The use of jupati leaves and seeds, for ornamental and artisanal purposes, results in the generation of by-products such as the internal part of the petiole that, sometimes, are not used. Thus, the application of this waste for the production of materials assists the reduction of major environmental problems. In this sense, this paper aimed at using jupati petiole particles to replace eucalyptus wood to produce low density particleboards and to evaluate the effect of this incorporation on its physical and mechanical properties. The panels were composed with different percentages of waste in association with eucalyptus: 0, 10, 20 and 30%. The nominal panels’ density was fixed at 0.60 g cm-3 and was bonded with urea-formaldehyde. To evaluate the properties, physical and chemical particle analysis and physical-mechanical panels tests were performed. Regarding the physical panel properties, all were classified as low density. There was an increase in the compression ratio and, consequently, in hygroscopicity as greater proportions of jupati particles were inserted. For the mechanical properties, it was observed that, in small quantities, the insertion of waste did not affect the panel’s viability. Thus, it is concluded that the waste has the potential to be used as raw material in the production of panels, being included in up to 15 % for regulatory compliance.