Bracatinga wood machining for furniture industry

Abstract

This research aimed to evaluate suitability of bracatinga (Mimosa scabrella Benth.) wood for furniture industry, with samples from 7 to 9 years old plantations. The twenty five specimens selected were machined and subjected to a qualitative assessment accordingly to ASTM D1666 (1994). In unbending operations, thicknessing, drilling to hinge and tear with horizontal drilling, excellent results have been obtained, revealing the potential of bracatinga wood for furniture purposes (recovery of over than 92% of parts). Even though the cutting conditions and material have influenced the operations of axial and sinuous frame, and axial and transversal milling, which reached respectively 32%, 40% and 48% of approved parts, the wood does not disqualify for these operations, it only indicates the need of a subsequent grinding of these surfaces. Whereas the young age of the studied material favored adequate results for the purpose of the study, it allows to believe that bracatinga wood more promising results are those from handled planting older than the ones focused.