ABSTRACT
This research was developed aiming to evaluate the potentiality of the five species of tropical pine to particleboard manufacture. The following species were studied: Pinus oocarpa, P. caribaea, P. chiapensis, P. maximinoi, P. tecunumannii and the mixture of these. The boards were manufactured with ureaformaldehyde resin at the density of 0,70 g/cm3. The boards of P. caribaea showed the higher mean values of water absorption and thickness swelling. The boards of P. tecunumannii presented the higher mean values of internal bond. The statistical analysis of modulus of elasticity and rupture showed no statistical differences between the species studied. Nevertheless, the mean value obtained to P. maximinoi was higher in comparison to all other species. The board’s mechanical properties of the all species studied were higher than nimum values recommended by CS 236-66 Standards, showing high potentiality of these species to particleboard manufacture.
Key words:
Particleboard; physical and mechanical properties; tropical pine.