Physical-mechanical and anatomical characterization in 26-year-old Eucalyptus resinifera wood

• Main Authors: Israel Luiz de Lima, Eduardo Luiz Longui, Miguel Luiz Menezes Freitas, Antonio Carlos Scatena Zanatto, Marcelo Zanata, Sandra Monteiro Borges Florsheim, Geraldo Bortoletto Jr.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro
• Series: Floresta e Ambiente
• Subjects: Eucalyptus wood quality; physical-mechanical properties; red mahogany; structure/properties relationships
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2179-80872014000100012&lng=en&tlng=en

In the present study, we aimed to characterize Eucalyptus resinifera wood through physical and mechanical assays and wood anatomy studies, as well as determine the relationships between the properties and anatomy of wood. We used samples collected from the area close to the bark of ten 26-year-old E. resinifera trees. We concluded that the specific gravity (Gb), compression (f c0), and shear parallel to grain (f v0) were ranked in strength classes C30, C40 and C60, respectively, and that volumetric shrinkage (VS) was ranked as high. A positive relationship between Gb and f v0 results from the higher specific gravity associated with higher tissue proportion, in turn, causing higher shear strength. Higher ray frequency increases shear strength, because rays act as reinforcing elements. A negative relationship between VS and vessel diameter occurs because vessel walls are highly resistant to collapse, and since larger lumens represent a higher proportion of empty spaces, less tissue is available for shrinkage.