DECAY RESISTANCE OF FOUR FAST-GROWING EUCALYPTS WOOD EXPOSED TO THREE TYPES OF FIELDS

Rafael  de Avila Delucis; Pedro Henrique  Gonzales de Cademartori; André Luiz  Missio; Darci Alberto  Gatto

DECAY RESISTANCE OF FOUR FAST-GROWING EUCALYPTS WOOD EXPOSED TO THREE TYPES OF FIELDS

Autores

Rafael de Avila Delucis

Pedro Henrique Gonzales de Cademartori

André Luiz Missio

Darci Alberto Gatto

Editor

Universidad del Bío Bío

Descripción

The evaluation of wood durability enables the definition of reliable parameters to predict the service-life of wood-based products. This study aimed to evaluate the wood deterioration of four fast-growing eucalypts species (Eucalyptus botryoides, Corymbia citriodora, Eucalyptus paniculata e Eucalyptus tereticornis) exposed to three field tests (outdoor, flooded site and forest canopy) during 540 days. The physical properties measured were: mass loss, density and moisture content. Furthermore, we determined changes in wood color by CIEL*a*b* method and performed a visual analysis by CEN grades. Among the four wood eucalypts, Eucalyptus tereticornis presented the highest decay resistance. The flooded site presented the best conditions for the proliferation of xylophagous agents. Mature wood was least susceptible to deterioration than juvenile wood.