Engineered wood flooring made of residual forest biomass with incorporated aluminum oxide microparticles

ABSTRACT

In recent decades, the construction industry has seen the valorization of products incorporating waste in their constitution to have performance and durability similar to conventional ones. One of these materials is the oriented strand board (OSB), made from reforestation by-products with strength and rigidity properties that enable their application in various construction areas. Along with panels, the micro and nanoparticles of metallic oxides represent a promising additive for improving physical and mechanical properties since it contributes to the temperature gradient during the production stage of panels, polymerizing the resin more efficiently. In this context, this work evaluated the physical and mechanical performance of engineered wood flooring (EWF) produced with a core layer of OSB made of balsa wood (Ochroma pyramidale) residual from reforestation and microparticles of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) with a veneer of Teak wood (Tectona grandis). OSB were produced on a laboratory scale (medium density 650 kg/m³), 13% castor oil-based polyurethane resin, and 2% of Al₂O₃ microparticles of the resin mass. Physical and mechanical characterization was conducted. Results indicated that balsa EWFs showed physical and mechanical properties equivalent to commercial EWFs with a core layer of plywood and teak veneer.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• EWF
• reforested wood
• agro-industrial by-product

Acknowledgment

The authors thank FAPESP (proc. 2021/08432-3) and CNPq (process. 405201/2021-4 and process. 309120/2020-9). This study was partially financed by the Brazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) – financial code 001.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico: [Grant Number 405201/2021-4e and 309120/2020-9]; Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior: [Grant Number Financial Code – 001]; Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo: [Grant Number 2021/08432-3].