Painéis elaborados a partir da fibra do coco e resina de ureia-formaldeído como alternativa ao MDF utilizado na construção civil

Abstract

The high production of wood panels in Brazil increases the search for incorporation of alternative materials, since wood usage causes negative impacts on the environment. Amongst those materials, the coconut fibers stand out, originated from the coconut husk, a waste produced in large quantities. This work presents an experimental study about the development of coconut fiber panels of medium density, using urea-formaldehyde based adhesive, in order to find the best ratio between these components. The proportions were defined with resin/fiber ratio values of 20/80, 25/75, 30/70 and 35/65. The panels were manufactured using a thermo-hydraulic press at a temperature of 220°C and a pressure of 17,5 kgf/cm², during 15 minutes. After the fabrication of the panels, the specimens were prepared for shape characterization and tests of flexible and tensile strength. The results showed that the pressure used resulted in high density panels (HDF) and the proportion of 20% and 25% of adhesive had the best results for flexible strength (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE), whereas the panels with 30% and 35% of adhesive showed lower values, due to the presence of fissures caused by the blow effect