Wood from Forest Residues: Technological Properties and Potential Uses of Branches of Three Species from Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

Branch wood presents potential volumetry that may have several applications, and its use may improve forest management efficiency in the Amazon. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the properties of branch wood when compared to the stem or what its potential applications might be, considering the possible variability of wood formation in branches. This study aimed to characterize physically and mechanically the branch wood of Dipteryx odorata, Hymenolobium petraeum and Hymenaea courbaril and to compare them with their respective stems. No significant statistical differences were observed for the basic density between the branch and stem woods. The branch wood of Dipteryx odorata and Hymenaea courbaril showed a lower coefficient of anisotropy (1.23 and 1.99, respectively) than the stem wood (1.62 and 2.49, respectively). D. odorata showed similar mechanical properties between the branch and stem, except for hardness, while H. petraeum and H. courbaril branch wood showed lower strengths when compared to the stem wood for all mechanical tests, except for the shear strength test. Branch wood has similar potential uses to stem wood and can be used for non-structural purposes such as small artifacts, decorative items, furniture, tools and panels composed of short, glued pieces.

Evaluation of the Oriented Strand Board Properties Produced Using Tropical Wood Mixtures

“…Therefore, the use of residues from the primary and secondary processing of tropical wood and the study of these species in panel production can provide subsidies for the installation of OSB factories in the Amazon region [18]. As an example, a study carried out using tropical wood residues demonstrated the potential use of residues for non-structural purposes, furniture, tools, and panels composed of short pieces [21]. Developing materials made of forest biomass by-products can be a viable alternative for replacing conventional materials, in addition to showing the potential for waste reuse [22,23].…”

Elementos estruturais MLC confeccionados com madeira de >i<Jacaranda copaia>/i< e reforçados externamente com madeiras nativas amazônicas por meio de poliuretano a base de >i<Ricinus vulgaris>/i<

“…É importante frisar que em função das dimensões relativamente pequenas das lamelas externas, a viabilidade de utilização de madeiras nativas de alta resistência para compor esses elementos estruturais se justifica ainda se consideramos a grande quantidade de madeiras de galhos dessas espécies é deixada na área de manejo durante a colheita florestal. Estima-se que de 2009 até 2015, cerca de 900,000 m³ de madeiras nobres foram abandonados nas áreas de manejo madeireiro (MOREIRA et al, 2022). A utilização dessa matéria prima para reforço de elementos estruturais representaria uma forma de melhorar o rendimento da colheita de madeira na região amazônica.…”