Anatomical and physical-mechanical characterization of Liquidambar sp. wood.

Abstract

This research aimed to improve anatomical, physical and mechanical characterization of Liquidambar sp.wood. Three trees were obtained, at eight years of age, from an arboretum located in Guaçuí, Espírito Santo State, Brazil. The analyzed variables were dimensions of the fibers (length, total diameter and diameter of the lumen and wall thickness), the vessel elements (tangential diameter and frequency), and ray (height, width and frequency). The specific gravity (basic, at 12% moisture content and dry), and total volumetric and linear shrinkages, resistance to bending, compression parallel to the fibers, shear and Janka hardness. For anatomical description it was found numerous vessels often with small tangential diameter, heterocellular rays occurring at low frequency, and long libriform fibers with thick to thin walls. The specific gravity of wood from disks taken at 1.30 m from ground level was 0.48 g cm^-3, wich we considered average, the dimensional stability was low, and there was great influence of moisture in the resistance values in wood.