Mineral composites reinforced with wood and tire rubber

ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to evaluate the potential of Eucalyptus grandis wood and rubber tire particles in the production of cement-wood panels. Eucalyptus grandis wood, 8 years old, was obtained from Companhia Mineira de Metais, located in the city of Paracatu -MG. For the formation of the panels, high initial strength CPV-ARI/Plus Portland cement was used as mineral binder and calcium chloride (CaCl2) as a cement cure accelerator. The panels were produced with the following parameters: dimensions of 48,0 x 48,0 x 1,5 cm, nominal density of 1,2 g / cm3, relation wood: cement (1:2.5) and water: cement ratio (1:1.5). The panels were pressed at a specific pressure of 4 MPa, at room temperature, 24 hour pressing/stapling time, and 28 day maturation time. The analysis of the results obtained, in relation to the minimum requirements of conventional panels produced by the Bison process, allows to affirm that: (1) for the physical properties of apparent density, water absorption and swelling in thickness all the treatments met the specifications; (2) for the mechanical properties of internal bonding and modulus of rupture in the static bending test, all treatments met the specifications; (3) for compression and modulus of elasticity in the static bending test, none of the treatments presented values compatible with the bison process.