PROPERTIES OF OSB PANELS WITH VENEER INCLUSION

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of veneer inclusion with different wood species, and also different levels of pressing pressure applied in the moment of the veneer inclusion over physical-mechanical properties of already consolidated OSB (Oriented Strand Board) panels. Treatments were arranged in factorial scheme 4 x 2 (four wood types for veneer inclusion - Pinus oocarpa, Eucalyptus urophylla, Parkia gigantocarpa and Brosimum parinariodes; and two pressing pressures - 1 and 2 MPa) and also a control (without veneer inclusion). Veneer inclusion was made with 180 g.cm(-2) phenol formaldehyde adhesive, in a simple glue line, perpendicular to the external layer of panels. The pressing cycle used was 150 degrees C for 4 minutes under pressure 1 or 2 MPa pressure depending on the pre-established treatment. It was possible to conclude that: 1) Veneer inclusion with pines, eucalypt and amapa promoted significant improvements for physical-mechanical properties of OSB panels, highlighting eucalypt and amapa; 2) There was not a significant effect of the level of pressing pressure over mechanical properties of OSB with veneer inclusion; and 3) Regarding physical properties, the highest pressure level (2 MPa) promoted a negative effect in some properties, while veneer inclusion the pressure of 1 MPa generally promoted significant improvement of all physical properties.