Trials referring applicability of the final product, such as durability tests to fungi and termites are crucial in developing panels. Therefore, panels made with different percentages of sugarcane bagasse particles (Saccharum sp.) and eucalyptus fiber (Eucalyptus grandis), bounded with two dosages of urea formaldehyde resin (13% and 16%), were evaluated for biological resistance (bioassays) to termites and fungi, which is fundamental in defining use and application of the final product. We used the termite species Reticulitermes santonensis, rhinotermitidade, and the fungy Pleurotus ostreatus, a white rot basidiomycete, according to AFNOR standardization procedures. In general, the new panels were not resistant to bioassays and there was a similarity in the dynamics of attack and mass loss among the different doses of resin applied, thus evidencing the need of applying protective coating on the panels surface or adding termiticide and fungicide products.
Biological resistance; Panelboards; Use and applications
