Caracterização mecânica do carvão vegetal de clones Corymbia

Abstract

Charcoal is a very friable product. Charcoal friability is associated with its mechanical properties. The strength and elasticity characteristics are important throughout the production process, from handling, transport and to the use of charcoal. Despite the importance of the charcoal mechanical characteristics there are few reports in the literature on such properties, especially about new clonal materials developed by forestry Companies and planted for this purpose. This study aimed at mechanically evaluating the charcoal quality from Corymbia clones produced at carbonization temperatures of 350, 450, 550, 700°C. Seven clones of the Corymbia genus were collected at the northern region of Minas Gerais State. Small logs were cut out at DBH (1.3 meters from ground) of the trees, processed, carbonized and further made into charcoal specimens used in compression tests, both parallel and perpendicular to fiber direction. Carbonization final temperature affected significantly the mechanical properties of the charcoal. As for mechanical tests, an increase in young modulus and the charcoal resistance submitted to both parallel and perpendicular compression to the fibers was found, related to the carbonization temperature and the highest values in the parallel to fibers compression test.