Quality of Plywood Panels Made with Wood Veneer of Three Eucalyptus Species

ABSTRACT The quality of plywood produced with wood veneer of Eucalyptus saligna, Eucalyptus dunnii and Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus grandis hybrid in different compositions was analyzed. Seven-layer veneer panels measuring 500 × 500 × 14 mm, glued with phenol-formaldehyde (PF), weighing 360 g. m-2 in double line and with 28 or 32% of solid content were produced. Panels were pressed under 130 °C and 12 kgf. cm-2, during 15 minutes. We analyzed the properties of specific gravity, moisture content, water absorption, thickness swelling, glue line shear and static bending. The results were compared to the requirements of the ABIMCI technical catalog and EN 314-2 and DIN 68 792 standards. Eucalyptus dunnii panels presented lower values of mechanical properties, with an upward trend when in mixtures. The panels produced with Eucalyptus saligna and the Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus grandis hybrid showed good results, either pure or mixed with the other species.