Evaluating the Effects of Removing Fines from Particleboards Manufactured from Amazonian Wood Residue

ABSTRACT The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of removing fines on the physical and mechanical properties of high-density particleboard produced by mechanical processing of Caryocar villosum (pequiá), Tachigali myrmecophyla (tachi-preto) and Hymenolobium excelsum (angelim-da-mata) Amazonian woods. The panels were produced with nominal density of 850 kg.m-3, thickness of 15.7 mm and phenol formaldehyde adhesive. The experimental design was arranged in a factorial design, with the assessment of the effects of three species (pequiá, tachi-preto and angelim-da-mata) and two particle classifications (with and without fines). Their performance was evaluated with respect to their physical (apparent density, moisture content, water absorption and thickness swelling) and mechanical (static bending – modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture and internal bond) properties, realized according to ABNT NBR 14810-3. The removal of fines in the production of panels generated a tendency towards increased MoR, MoE and internal bond values and contributed to reductions in AAw2h, AAw24h and ST2h.