ABSTRACT
In this work the mechanical properties of flakeboard, made with pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm), eucalypts (Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex-Maiden) and wattle (Acacia mearnsii De Wild) wood particles, were analysed. To segregate the wood specific gravity effects, three-replication blocks, with 1.21, 1.32 and 1.43 compression ratios were installed. Flakeboard of fifteen mixtures, where each specie participated with 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the ovendry weight proportion, were manufactured with particles of 90 x 20 x 0.6 mm average size and 8 percent resin solids content. The analysis were made by means of correlation and adjusted mathematical models, obtained using simple or multiple regression, between the production variables and the proportion of each specie in the mixture. The results found for modulus of rupture and elasticity were above the international standards; however, the flakeboard showed lower values of internal bond, demonstrating lower bond quality. As a general conclusion, the use of mixed wood species had advantage over that of single wood species, mainly because of the distinct wood specific gravity. The best mixture, however, can be established considering the purposes of the final product and the raw material availability.
Key words:
flakeboard; mixture of species; tannin-formaldehyde