Evaluation of the potential use of Amazonian palm species for the production of edge-glued panels

ABSTRACT The potential of Attalea maripa and Attalea speciosa was evaluated for the production of edge-glued panels. The chemical and physical properties and the quality of the bonding of the species and mixed treatment between them, under different conditions, were evaluated. The length bonding was performed with polyvinyl acetate (PVA) adhesive and the side with PVA and emulsion polymer isocyanate (EPI) in two spreading rates. The species A. maripa has a lower content of extractives in cold and hot water, total extractives, ash and pH, and higher density compared to A. speciosa. The tangential, radial and volumetric shrinkage and shrinkage anisotropy of the species were statistically equal. On the length bonding, only in the tensile test after drying pre-treatment were the requirements of the technical standards not met. As regards side bonding, the treatments of A. maripa and mixed joints with EPI reached the standard for the pre-treatment in cold water.