Biological resistance and wettability of particleboard produced with sugarcane waste

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate the particle chemical compositions, biological resistance and wettability of sugarcane particleboard. Panels with 0.50 and 0.85mm particle sizes were treated and untreated in hot water (control) and glued with urea formaldehyde resin with 10% solids in relation to the dry particle mass. Three rotting fungi were tested: Two white rots and one brown rot. Two solvents were used for the wettability (water and ethylene glycol). Chemical analysis of treated and control particles was performed. The results obtained for the chemical analysis evidenced a decrease in total extractive contents due to the treatment in hot water. Panels manufactured with control particles and having greater granulometry exhibited improvements in resistance to G. trabeum and T. versicolor fungi. All tested panels were classified as moderately resistant. The contact angles (wettability) obtained with the solvents were not influenced by the treatments, and the panel surfaces were classified as non-wetting and partially wetting.