THERMAL MODIFICATION OF EUCALYPTUS WOOD AND USE FOR FLOORS OF LOW TRAFFIC ENVIRONMENTS

Resumo

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of thermal modification on surface hardness and depressions by applying loads to obtain floors for low traffic environments. Four clones were used from which logs were obtained and split into boards dried in time, and grouped for testing in their natural condition (NT) and thermally modified at 200 degrees Celsius for four hours (T) in a schedule with a heating of 1 degree per minute, on electric oven. Then in the samples from each clone were evaluated the mass loss, specific gravity, lignin and holocelluloses content, Janka hardness, fall ball impact depressions, distributed load depressions, and concentrated load depressions using track equipment which transfer a load of 890N to the woods at a speed of 0.06 ms-1. In the results verified high mass loss in the E. grandis x E. urophylla clone from controlled polination. The lignin contents showed increases and holocelluloses contents showed significant decreases after thermal modification. There was a reduction in Janka hardness in the woods with the exception of E. urophylla clone which presented lower depressions in the fall ball test after thermal modification. Verified increasing in depressions in the concentrated and distributed load tests, after thermal modification. And the E. urophylla clone presented lower depressions after 25 and 50 passes respectively, being the most recommended for obtaining floors for saunas, garden decks, swimming pools as it does not require high loading requirements.