Physical properties of MDP panels produced with different proportions of wood and pseudostem

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to verify the technical feasibility of using banana pseudostem fibers in the manufacture of MDP in intermediate panel layers, in different associations with wood from eucalyptus and banana pseudostem. The physical properties of water absorption and thickness swelling for immersion in water for both 2 and 24 hours were evaluated. Three panels were produced according to American Standard ASTM D 1037. 12% urea-formaldehyde adhesive were used for the production of panels. The pressing cycle was 4 MPa, with a temperature of 160°C for a period of 8 minutes. The panels were produced with a density of 0.70g/cm3 and had the following composition: 20/60/20 face/core, in which the face consisted of eucalyptus and varying proportions of pseudostem in the core (10%, 20% and 30%) and in eucalyptus. It is observed that the panels with 20% particles in the core showed the best results, compared to other panels evaluated.