Abstract: Eucalyptus planted forests contribute to maximizing lumber production but problems such as longitudinal growth strain can negatively influence the quality of the products. Knowing dendrometric variables and wood properties can help in the prediction of longitudinal growth strain, mainly with the help of artificial intelligence. Thus, the aim of this research was to evaluate the use of artificial neural networks to predict longitudinal growth strain in Eucalyptus trees based on dendrometric variables, spacing between trees and wood density. The longitudinal growth strain was measured in trees of four Eucalyptus clones planted in three spacings. The diameter and height of each tree were measured. The basic wood density was determined. Artificial neural networks were used to estimate longitudinal growth strain as a function of dendrometric variables, tree spacing and wood density. The results showed that the artificial neural networks presented good results for training and validation, with most of them resulting in high correlation coefficient values. The trained artificial neural networks showed a correlation coefficient above 0,56. Artificial neural networks showed that the variables clone and basic wood density were the ones that most contributed to the prediction of longitudinal growth strain. On the other hand, the spacing between trees, the height of the tree and the diameter at breast height were not relevant to predict growth stresses.

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the spatial distribution of the air circulation speed and the final moisture content of pine lumber after kiln drying by using geostatistics. Two kilns acting on boards of 27 mm and 42 mm were evaluated. Air circulation speed and final moisture content were collected in different regions of the kilns. There was no significant difference for air circulation speed and final moisture content between the front and rear regions of the equipment. In the horizontal axis (Y-axis), air circulation speed averages did not differ statistically in both situations, but higher values for this variable were obtained from the spaces between the piles. Final moisture content tended to increase when closer to the door opening. In the vertical axis (Z-axis), the lower part tended to reach higher air circulation speed values. Thus, the spatial behavior influences the air circulation speed and final moisture content during lumber drying. Besides, the variograms presented the same tendency in comparison to the data obtained in a conventional manner, which indicates that geostatistics can be used to represent variables in kilns during the drying process.

Abstract This paper aims to address the export incentive mechanisms through a case study exploring the advantages of the Integrated Drawback system, in a wood flooring company. A study was conducted indicating the inputs entered into the Integrated Drawback system in Suspension mode for the laminate flooring production process. The procedures required to acquire inputs using Drawback were described and the taxes that will be suspended were described. This is an efficient public policy instrument to export incentive. The Drawback regime can be applied by any exporting company, provided that the acquired inputs are used in the manufacturing process. In addition, it shows that tax reform is important measure to increase Brazilian competitiveness in different sectors, including the wood sector.

ABSTRACT Thermally modified wood undergoes chemical, physical, and mechanical modifications, resulting in changes in resistance to wood biodegrading agents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the resistance to biodeterioration of thermally modified wood by the industrial process VAP HolzSysteme® of Eucalyptus grandis, Pinus taeda and Tectona grandis, submitted to the Lentinula edodes fungi (brown rot) and Pleurotus djamor fungi (white rot), and to analyze the chemical properties, contents of holocellulose, lignin, total extracts, and ash, before and after biodeterioration. Three treatments were considered for each species: Control - wood in natura, modified wood at 140 °C and 160 °C. The specimens were made according to ASTM D 1413 (ASTM, 1994), in a total of 108 samples per species, 36 per treatment for each species, with 12 samples submitted to the fungus L. edodes, 12 to P. djamor and 12 correction blocks. Different behaviors occurred among species under fungal action. For E. grandis wood the thermal modification increased the resistance to biodeterioration of the wood under the action of the L. edodes fungus, in the opposite way occurred for the species P. taeda. There was little variation between treatments in T. grandis wood for both fungi. Thermal modification conferred chemical alterations on the wood, influencing their behavior the biodeterioration by the fungal action in P. taeda species in a negative way, (increasing the degradation level), and E. grandis in a positive way, reducing the biodeterioration. However, in T. grandis species no significant differences were identified in the different treatments by the action of different rotting fungi.

Abstract: This study aims to evaluate the free and bound water flows in the different axes of Corymbia citriodora wood during drying. Wood samples were taken from the inner and outer regions of the tree stem from seven-years-old experimental plantations. The blocks were prepared for the water flow to occur in each wood axis and they were dried up to the final moisture content of 12%. Free water (FWFR), bound water (BWFR) and total water (TWFR) flow rates were calculated. The relationship between loss of moisture content and time presented an exponential curve, especially in the radial and tangential wood axes. Water flow in the three wood directions presented higher FWFR than TWFR (which was higher than BWFR). Free water flow was ~10 times higher than adsorbed water flow, considering values for moisture content between ~80% to ~12%. Free water movement in the longitudinal direction of the wood was ~2 times greater than in the radial axis and ~3 times greater than in the tangential axis. Bound water movement in the longitudinal direction of the wood was ~2 times greater than in the transverse direction. Bound water flow in the radial axis of the wood was statistically equal to the one in the tangential axis. The results indicate that the intensity of free and bound water flows changes according to the direction of Corymbia citriodora wood.

ABSTRACT The basic density is the main technical property of the wood due to the fact of the easy determination and correlation with the others wood properties. In this article, it was evaluated wood chips from a five-years-old Eucalyptus grandis in three different silvicultural treatments for pulp and paper production. First, a conventional kraft pulping was executed in the same conditions and then submitted to some elemental chlorine free (ECF) bleaching process to achieve the target brightness of 88 ± 1% ISO. The bleached pulps were refined in a Jokro Mill at 0, 2250, 4500 and 6750 revolutions and their physical, mechanical and optical properties were analyzed. The statistical analysis indicated a difference in the wood basic density from the different silvicultural treatments. The yield of the pulping process was not affected by the variation of the wood basic density. The denser wood had the advantage of a lower specific wood consumption while the disadvantage was a greater difficulty in the delignification and a decrease in the selectivity of the pulping process. The denser wood was the one with the best bleachability and the one that most consumed chlorine in the bleaching process. The increase of the wood density caused gains in the fisical and optical properties of the bleached pulp and losses in the mechanical properties.The optical properties of the pulps from denser woods are more resistant than the negative effects of mechanical properties.

Abstract This study intended to assess the effect of weather on the air-drying process of messassa wood (Brachystegia spiciformis Benth) in two areas of Mozambique (Machipanda and Beira city). First, the logs were sawn into 27 mm thick boards. Every five days the moisture content of the wood was determined by the control samples. For each region, the drying rate and wood quality post sawing and drying were estimated. The drying time differed between the regions under investigation, with Machipanda revealing the higher value. Messassa wood, which revealed a low drying rate (0.33% U/day), was categorized as slow drying wood. Both regions showed average final moisture content of 15.3% in the boards, with only slight variations in moisture inside the stacks. After outdoor drying, only a few defects were noted and as it was free from tensions, hence it was classified as good quality wood.

ABSTRACT Wood color and properties are variables among and within species, and fast and non-destructive techniques can be applied to their characterization, being also important in wood marketing and quality control. This paper evaluated the influence of age on the discrimination of Tectona grandis L.F. (teak) wood by VIS/NIR spectroscopy. Wood from three ages, with heartwood and sapwood, were studied, totaling 36 samples per age. Quantitative colorimetric data, based on CIELAB 1976, visible and NIR infrared spectra were collected from radial and tangential surfaces in five positions of each sample, in a total of 540 spectra. Both techniques were adequate for age discrimination in teak wood. Statistical differences were observed in the chromatic coordinates in heartwood and sapwood for each age. VIS/NIR spectroscopy can be applied for age discrimination based on teak solid samples and for wood quality control.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to homogenize the color of Eucalyptus saligna wood by means of steaming and compare the resulting color with that of Cariniana legalis wood, a species of high commercial value. To this end, two steaming curves were tested: 100% relative humidity for 12 (T1) and 24 (T2) hours at 90 °C followed by drying in a pilot-scale conventional kiln. The colorimetric parameters L*, a*, b*, C*, and h were determined according to the CIE L*a*b* color measurement system after drying. Results showed that steaming can be used for color homogenization between heartwood and sapwood. The treatment conducted for 24 hours (T2) presented the best results.

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar a corrosividade de soluções salinas antes e depois de sua impregnação na madeira. Soluções com 5% de concentração de cloreto de lítio, carbonato de sódio, sulfato de magnésio, sulfato de zinco e sulfato de cobre II foram mantidas durante 6 horas, a 25 °C, 45 °C e 100 °C em contato com amostras de 1,25 cm × 0,1 cm × 7,5 cm (largura × espessura × comprimento) produzidas com chapas de aço carbono antes e depois de seu contato com amostras de madeira de Corymbia torelliana e Eucalyptus cloeziana. Não se observou efeito da temperatura na corrosão das soluções puras. Depois do contato com a madeira houve incremento da corrosividade para as soluções de sulfato de zinco e de cobre II. O sulfato de cobre II ocasionou a maior perda de massa nas chapas, não sendo recomendado seu contato com superfícies metálicas, como usinas de tratamento e câmaras de secagem de madeira.

ABSTRACT The study aimed to evaluate the corrosivity of salt solutions after and before the impregnation in the wood. Solutions with concentration of 5% of chloride of lithium, sodium carbonate, magnesium sulphate, zinc sulphate and copper sulphate II had been kept during 6 hours, at 25; 45 and 100 °C, in contact with steel plates carbon samples of 1.25 × 0.1 × 7.5 cm (width × thickness × length), before and after its contact with wood samples of Corymbia torelliana and Eucalyptus cloeziana. There was no effect of the temperature in the corrosion of the pure solutions. After the contact with woods, corrosivity was incremented with copper II and zinc sulphate solutions. Copper II sulphate caused the biggest loss of mass in plates, and its contact with metallic surfaces is not recommended as wood treatment and drying chambers.

RESUMO Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a influência da largura da pilha de madeira e da espessura dos separadores na velocidade de secagem, nos defeitos gerados e da distribuição de umidade na madeira de Eucalyptus spp. Foram testadas duas larguras de pilhas (1.800 e 900 mm), ambas com 3.000 mm de comprimento, construídas com separadores de 20 e 25 mm de espessura. Foram avaliados a velocidade de secagem, a distribuição da umidade final e os principais defeitos gerados após 90 dias de secagem ao ar. A redução da largura da pilha ocasionou um aumento da velocidade de secagem, sendo o resultado mais satisfatório para a pilha confeccionada com separador de 25 mm de espessura. Para a qualidade da madeira de Eucalyptus spp. após a secagem ao ar, houve influência da redução da largura da pilha, a qual reduziu a umidade final das tábuas e a variação de umidade entre as tábuas, e os defeitos gerados foram inferiores aos limites estabelecidos pela norma.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the width of the sawn timber stack and thickness of the stickers in the drying velocity, the generated defects and moisture distribution within the stack in Eucalyptus spp.. Two widths of stacks were tested (1800 and 900 mm), both 3000 mm long, constructed with 20 and 25 mm thick stickers. We evaluated the drying rate, final moisture in distribution and main defects generated after 90 days of air drying. Reducing the width of the stack caused an increase in drying velocity, the most satisfactory results for the timber stack made with 25 mm thickness. The reduction of the wood stack width influenced the quality of Eucalyptus spp. after air drying, showing a decrease of the final moisture of the lumber boards. The moisture variation between the boards and the defects generated were below the limits set by default.

RESUMO A presente pesquisa foi desenvolvida com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito dos sistemas de desdobro aleatório e otimizado em toras de Araucaria angustifolia em diferentes classes diamétricas, para obtenção de madeira serrada numa serraria de pequeno porte. Para o efeito, foram selecionadas 60 toras, as quais foram cubadas e separadas em três classes diamétricas com 20 toras que, em seguida foram divididas em dois lotes de 10 toras, sendo o primeiro lote submetido ao desdobro aleatório e o segundo, ao desdobro otimizado. Os resultados indicaram que o desdobro otimizado foi mais satisfatório e a classificação diamétrica ocasionou aumento do rendimento em madeira serrada nos dois sistemas de desdobro. Os modelos ajustados para predição do rendimento, em função da conicidade das toras, foram significativos e satisfatórios principalmente no sistema de desdobro otimizado, o qual teve altos coeficientes de determinação ajustados em relação ao sistema de desdobro aleatório.

ABSTRACT This research was developed in order to assess the effect of aleatory breakdown and optimized breakdown systems of the logs of A. angustifolia, using different diametric classes to obtain lumber in a small sawmill. For this, 60 logs were selected, cubed and separated in three diameter classes, with 20 logs each, which were additionally divided in two lots of 10 logs, being the first lots subjected to aleatory breakdown, and the second for optimized breakdown. The results indicated that the optimized breakdown was satisfactory; in addition, the diametric classification caused an increase in yield lumber on both breakdown systems. The adjusted models for the yield prediction due to the taper of the logs were significant and satisfactory, especially in the optimized breakdown system that had high determination coefficients adjusted, regarding the aleatory breakdown system.

RESUMO Este trabalho é a continuação da pesquisa de Klitzke & Batista (2010), e teve como objetivo principal avaliar se a qualidade da madeira na metodologia da secagem drástica a 100 °C corresponde àquela da secagem convencional. Utilizou-se madeira de 11 anos de Eucalyptus saligna, Eucalyptus grandis e Eucalyptus dunnii, que foram secas conjuntamente em uma câmara-piloto convencional, realizando-se três repetições. Os defeitos de secagem avaliados foram rachaduras de superfície e de topo, encanoamento e colapso, dos quais foi produzido um escore médio por espécie, que foi comparado com o escore de defeitos do ensaio de secagem drástica, e também com a densidade básica e a contração volumétrica total da madeira. Eucalyptus grandis e Eucalyptus saligna tiveram a melhor qualidade de secagem. Foi rejeitada a hipótese de se poder utilizar o escore de defeitos do ensaio de secagem drástica como forma de prever a qualidade da secagem convencional das espécies estudadas.

ABSTRACT This research is a continuation of Klitzke & Batista (2010) work. The main objective was to assess whether the wood quality in the methodology of drastic drying test at 100 °C corresponds to that of conventional kiln drying. It was used 11 years old Eucalyptus saligna, Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus dunnii woods, which were kiln dried together in the same batch in a pilot scale kiln, doing three repetitions. Drying defects evaluated were end and surface cracks, cupping and collapse, which generated a mean score by species, which was compared to the score of defects of the drastic drying test, as well as to the basic density and the total volumetric shrinkage. Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus saligna had higher wood quality in conventional drying than Eucalyptus dunnii. It was rejected the hypothesis of using the score of defects in drastic drying test as a way of predicting the quality of conventional kiln drying.

RESUMO A indústria brasileira comumente seca diferentes espécies de eucalipto em uma mesma carga de secagem convencional, seja pela dificuldade de identificação das espécies, híbridos e clones, seja para melhor utilizar o equipamento. No entanto, essa prática não é recomendada na literatura específica. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a qualidade da secagem convencional conjunta da madeira de Eucalyptus saligna, Eucalyptus grandis eEucalyptus dunnii oriundas de plantios clonais. Para tal, foi realizada a secagem de três cargas com as três espécies conjuntamente em uma câmara-piloto de secagem convencional. Os critérios utilizados para analisar-se a qualidade da secagem foram: umidade final, rachaduras de topo, rachaduras de superfície, encanoamento, colapso, gradiente de umidade e tensões de secagem.Eucalyptus grandis apresentou a melhor qualidade de secagem, seguido pelo Eucalyptus saligna, e ambas as espécies possuem potencial para serem secas conjuntamente. Eucalyptus dunnii apresentou baixa qualidade de secagem, esta espécie não deve ser seca conjuntamente com Eucalyptus grandis eEucalyptus saligna. A densidade básica e a retratibilidade foram bons critérios para a expectativa de qualidade da secagem de Eucalyptus spp., em que espécies menos densas e mais estáveis dimensionalmente apresentaram melhor qualidade de secagem. O programa de secagem utilizado deve ser modificado para a secagem futura dessas espécies, notadamente no tocante aos períodos de uniformização e condicionamento, que foram considerados insuficientes.

ABSTRACT The Brazilian industry commonly dries different species of eucalypt in a same load because of the difficulty of identifying the species, hybrids and clones, and also by optimizing the use of the kiln. However, this practice is not recommended in the literature. The aim of this work was to verify the quality of grouped conventional drying of Eucalyptus saligna, Eucalyptus grandisand Eucalyptus dunnii from clonal plantations. To this end, three loads were dried with the three species together in a pilot conventional dry kiln. The criteria used to analyze the quality of dried wood were final moisture content, end checks, cupping, collapse, moisture gradient and drying stresses. Eucalyptus grandis showed the best quality of drying, followed by Eucalyptus saligna, and both species have potential to be kiln dried together. Eucalyptus dunnii had the worst quality of drying, and should not be kiln dried together withEucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus saligna.The basic density and shrinkage were good parameters for the expected quality of the drying of eucalyptus species, in which less dense and more dimensionally stable species had better quality of drying. The drying schedule used must be modified to further drying of these species, especially regarding to uniformity and conditioning periods, which were considered insufficient.

É importante desenvolver tecnologias de secagem para a madeira de Eucalyptus grandis, que é uma das espécies mais plantadas do gênero no Brasil e desempenha papel significativo no abastecimento da indústria madeireira nacional. O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi avaliar a secagem convencional da madeira de três clones de Eucalyptus grandis. Os objetivos específicos foram comparar os comportamentos entre: i) os defeitos do ensaio de secagem de amostras de pequenas dimensões com os defeitos da secagem convencional de tábuas em câmara; e ii) as propriedades físicas e a qualidade da secagem. Foram coletadas cinco árvores de 11 anos de cada um dos clones de Eucalyptus grandis, utilizando-se apenas tábuas tangenciais da primeira tora. Foram determinadas a densidade básica e a contração total da madeira, bem como foi realizado o ensaio de secagem de amostras de pequenas dimensões a 100 °C. Procedeu-se à secagem convencional em câmarapiloto, em que foram avaliados as umidades inicial e final, o gradiente de umidade na espessura, as tensões residuais e os defeitos de secagem. Utilizou-se a metodologia de escore de defeitos para comparar o comportamento entre os defeitos do ensaio de amostras de pequenas dimensões e aqueles da secagem convencional. Destaca-se que o programa de secagem utilizado foi muito severo para a madeira analisada, resultando em grande quantidade de tábuas com defeitos. O comportamento entre os defeitos do ensaio de amostras de pequenas dimensões e os defeitos de tábuas na secagem convencional foi diferente, não havendo correspondência.

It is important to develop drying technologies for Eucalyptus grandis lumber, which is one of the most planted species of this genus in Brazil and plays an important role as raw material for the wood industry. The general aim of this work was to assess the conventional kiln drying of juvenile wood of three clones of Eucalyptus grandis. The specific aims were to compare the behavior between: i) drying defects indicated by tests with wood specimens and conventional kiln-dried boards; and ii) physical properties and the drying quality. Five 11-year-old trees of each clone were felled, and only flatsawn boards of the first log were used. Basic density and total shrinkage were determined, and the drying test with wood specimens at 100 °C was carried out. Kiln drying of boards was performed, and initial and final moisture content, moisture gradient in thickness, drying stresses and drying defects were assessed. The defect scoring method was used to verify the behavior between the defects detected by specimen testing and the defects detected in kiln-dried boards. As main results, the drying schedule was too severe for the wood, resulting in a high level of boards with defects. The behavior between the defects in the drying test with specimens and the defects of kiln-dried boards was different, there was no correspondence, according to the defect scoring method.