Infrared thermographic characterization and resistance to biodeterioration of particleboards with ZnO nanoparticles

• Grant number: 19/16255-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2019
• End date: September 30, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Marília da Silva Bertolini
• Grantee: Letícia Lima Viana
• Host Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus Experimental de Itapeva. Itapeva , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Particleboards production in Brazil is representative and growing, reaching a volume of 3.14 million m³ in 2017, which places our country in second place among the countries of the American continent, behind only the United States (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO, 2019). These panels are traditionally composed of wood particles and polymeric resin and consolidated by pressing, using temperature and pressure. Issues related to environmental impact in the manufacture of these panels are extremely relevant in terms of their raw materials, in addition to energy savings, mainly determined by the pressing time. Another point associated with wood products is their durability, related to their resistance to the attack of biodeteriorating agents. Several methods have already been proposed in an attempt to reduce the pressing time, such as reduction of the press closing time, high frequency heating, increase of adhesive curing rate, among others. The possibility of zinc oxide nanoparticles inclusion in wood-based composites may present a potential solution due to the higher rate of heat transfer they can provide related to metals. In addition, some metals are toxic to termites and fungi, acting as preservatives of wood, as already observed in the traditional chemicals used in wood. In this context, this project aims inclusion of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles in composite panels of Pinus sp., evaluating their thermal characteristics by infrared thermography and its resistance to biodeterioration, as well as physical-mechanical properties. The results will be confronted with the literature, as well as technical standards (ABNT 14810-2, 2018; ANSI A208.1,2016).