PARTICLEBOARD RESISTANCE TO TERMITE AND FUNGI MADE WITH Eucalyptus grandis WOOD AND DIFFERENT RESINS

Abstract

In this study, the resistance of particleboards made with Eucalyptus grandis and different resins was evaluated, against the attack fungi and termite. For that particleboard of 50 x 50 x 0.95 cm of diameter and specific gravity of 0.65 g/cm³ were produced, using urea-formaldehyde and tannin-formaldehyde as adhesives. Samples were taken from the panels, measuring 2.5 x 2.5 x 0.95 cm and 7.5 x 2.5 x 0.95 cm. for biological assays with fungus and termite, respectively. For the fungi, the accelerated rot assay in laboratory was done, where two species were used, Trametes versicolor (white rot) and Gloeophyllum trabeum (brown rot). An assay of alimentary preference was also done with underground termites, where the samples were submitted to the attack of Nasutitermes corniger. The obtained results showed that to the fungus as to the termites, the particleboards made with tanninformaldehyde were more resistant. For the fungus, the difference between adhesive was observed only when these particleboards were submitted to the attack of Gloeophyllum trabeum, being the panels produced with urea-formaldehyde were the most resistant. Among the fungi the Trametes versicolor attacked more severely particleboards.