Estudio de algunas propiedades físicas de la madera de Acacia melanoxylon en Argentina

Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine density, maximal swelling and shrinkage, anisotropy of swelling and shrinkage and fibre saturation point on samples of Argentinean Acacia melanoxylon R Br. Ten trees were randomly selected from two sites located in Buenos Aires Province and samples were obtained at breast height. Physical properties were determined according to the Argentinean standards IRAM 9532(1963), 9543(1966) y 9544(1973). Data were analysed by means of the analysis of variance according to a mixed linear model. Mean values of the coefficient of lineal shrinkage reached 0.16 and 0.30 for radial and tangential directions, respectively. Mean values for fibre saturation point was 24.7 % and the factor of anisotropy was close to 2, which indicates that this species may normally perform drying processes. Site was not significant for physical properties but highly significant differences were found between trees. Tree variance component reached 29.8-46.5 % of the total random variation. The mean value for density reached 604 kg/m3 and this property increases with the distance from the pith. The values found for the analysed properties are congruent with those reported for the same species by other researchers. No significant correlation was found between density and dimensional changes.