Determinação das propriedades físicas e mecânicas da sterculia quinqueloba proveniente da província de Cabo Delgado

Abstract

The ultrastructure and chemical composition of wood, as well as its physical and mechanical properties, vary significantly between species, between trees of the same species and even between different parts of the same tree. In this work, the physical and mechanical properties of the species Sterculia quinqueloba from Cabo Delgado province were evaluated. To carry out this work, five (5) Sterculia quinqueloba trees were selected for evaluation of physical and mechanical properties, obtaining 25 specimens for each test. The selection of specimen and physical properties were determined by the COPANT 458, 461 and 462 (1972) standards and the Portuguese mechanical properties 74 (1961). Basic density values ​​of 0.56g/cm3 of the species were found, classifying it as a light wood. It presents an average shrinkage according to the results of the radial, tangential and volumetric shrinkage of 4.35%, 8.69% and 12.45% respectively. The calculated anisotropic factor was 1.89, thus presenting a wood with normal dimensional stability. The results observed for MOR and MOE were 967 and 83166 kg/cm2. However, the values ​​found for S. Quinqueloba, place the species with potential for, among other uses of wood, the production of light furniture and constructions.