Resumo O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi estabelecer uma correlação entre o envelhecimento natural com o envelhecimento artificial em painéis aglomerados de média densidade produzidos com resina de poliuretano de mamona e Pinus sp. Para tal correlação, foram utilizados os parâmetros climatológicos da cidade de São Carlos, estado de São Paulo, Brasil. A correlação estabelecida foi que 20 ciclos seriam proporcionais à mesma degradação de dois meses de exposição ao envelhecimento natural. A relação entre as propriedades físicas e mecânicas com os efeitos proporcionados pelo número de meses (M) sobre o envelhecimento natural com número de ciclos (Nc) sobre o envelhecimento artificial foi obtida com modelos de regressão polinomial cúbica. Em geral, para propriedades físicas, 20 Nc representa de 7 a 8 meses e para propriedades mecânicas, de 11 a 12 meses, com exceção da tração perpendicular, de 8 meses de envelhecimento natural. As equações que melhor representam a relação entre Nc e M foram o inchamento em espessura às 2h e a absorção de água às 2h e 24h, com R² acima de 93%.

Abstract The main objective of this work was to establish a correlation between natural aging with artificial aging in medium density particleboards produced with polyurethane resin of castor oil and Pinus sp. For such correlation, climatological parameters at São Carlos city, São Paulo state Brazil were used. The established correlation was that 20 cycles would be proportional to the same degradation of two months of exposure under natural aging. The relation between physical and mechanical properties with the effects provided by number of months (M) on the natural aging with number of cycles (Nc) on the artificial aging was obtained with cubical polynomial regression models. In general, for physical properties, 20 Nc represents 7 to 8 months and for mechanical properties, 11 to 12 months, with exception to internal bonding, with 8 months of natural aging. The equations which best represent the relation between Nc and M were thickness swelling at 2h and water absorption at 2 h and 24 h, with R² above 93%.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of thermal treatment on the resistance of Corymbia citriodora and Pinus taeda woods to the xylophagous termite Nasutitermes corniger, in a food preference test. We used temperatures of 100 °C (control), 160 °C, 180 °C, 200 °C, 220 °C, 240 °C for both wood species, and 260 °C only for Pinus taeda. Three wood planks measuring 6 cm x 16 cm x 56 cm (thickness x width x length) were thermally treated and manufactured in specimens of 10.0 cm x 2.54 cm x 0.64 cm (longitudinal x radial x tangential). Specimens were distributed in randomized blocks, with six treatments (Corymbia citriodora) and seven treatments (Pinus taeda) with 10 repetitions in a 250 liters box with 10 cm of sand; specimens were inserted in the sand, up to 1/3 of their height. The test was maintained for 45 days under laboratory conditions (25 °C ± 2 °C and 65% ± 5% relative humidity). Temperatures of 220 °C and 240 °C slightly improved the resistance of Corymbia citriodora wood to the termite. Improvements on Pinus taeda wood happened at temperatures of 240 °C and 260 °C. The temperatures of 160 °C for the eucalyptus wood and 200 °C for pinus decreased their resistance to the tested termite.

El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar el efecto del proceso de modificación térmica en la resistencia de las maderas Corymbia citriodora y Pinus taeda a ser ingerida por la termita xilófaga Nasutitermes corniger, en ensayos de preferencia de alimento. Se probaron temperaturas de 100 °C (testigo), 160 °C, 180 °C, 200 °C, 220 °C, 240 °C, además de 260 °C para el Pinus taeda. Se sometieron al proceso de modificación térmica tres tablones de madera de 6 cm x 16 cm x 56 cm (grosor x ancho x largo), y después fueron transformados en especímenes de 10,0 cm x 2,54 cm x 0,64 cm (longitudinal x radial x tangencial). Los especímenes fueron distribuidos en bloques aleatorios, y sometidos a seis tratamientos (Corymbia citriodora) y siete tratamientos (Pinus taeda) con 10 repeticiones por tratamiento, en cajas de 250 litros con una cama de 10 cm de arena. Los especímenes de prueba se hincaron en la arena hasta 1/3 de su longitud y fueron expuestos al ataque de las termitas. El ensayo fue mantenido durante 45 días bajo condiciones del laboratorio (25 ºC ± 2 ºC y 65 % ± 5% de humedad relativa). Para la madera de Corymbia citriodora, las temperaturas de 220 °C y 240 °C mejoraron sensiblemente la resistencia a la termita. Para el Pinus taeda la mejoría ocurrió con las temperaturas de 240 °C y 260 °C. La temperatura de 160 °C para la madera de C. citriodora y la de 200 °C para el P. taeda causaron disminución en la resistencia a la termita estudiada.

The aim of this work was the evaluation of the thermal-rectification process of reforestation wood Corymbia citriodora Hook by measuring of mechanical properties under compression parallel to the grain and also determining of chemical composition. The tested samples were thermally treated in a furnace with nitrogen-atmosphere at heating rate of 0.033 ºC.min-1, at temperatures of 160, 180, 200, 220 and 240 ºC. The chemical components and mechanical properties were affected with the thermal rectification process. The contents ranged from 17.85 to 3.51% extractives, 30.44 to 53.86% lignin, 69.56 to 46.14% holocellulose and 0.31 to 0.47% ashes. The samples strength decreased from 20% to 50% and the elasticity modulus increased about 47%. The characteristic values of strength under compression were determined and these changes were about 23% lower than Brazilian standard. The best mechanical properties of Corymbia citriodora were obtained at 180 ºC.

The permeability of Brazilian Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus citriodora wood was measured in a custom build gas analysis chamber in order to determine which species could be successfully treated with preservatives. Liquid permeability was tested using an emulsion of Neen oil and a control of distillated water. Air was used to test the gas phase permeability. For both Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus citriodora, the longitudinal permeability of gas was shown to be about twice as great as the liquid phase permeability. No radial permeability was observed for either wood. The permeability of air and water through the sapwood of Eucalyptus grandis was greater than that through the sapwood of Eucalyptus citriodora. The permeability of neen oil preservative through the sapwood of Eucalyptus grandis was also greater than through the sapwood of E. Citradora, but the difference was not statistically significant. Scanning Electron Microscopy images showed that the distribution and obstruction in the vessels could be correlated with observed permeability properties. Irrespective of the causes of differences in permeability between the species, the fluid phase flux through the sapwood of both species was significant, indicating that both Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus citriodora could be successfully treated with wood preservative.