Chemical composition of some plantation wood species (Eucalyptus saligna, Cupressus lusitanica and Eucalyptus paniculata) and assessment of compatibility with plaster

The aim of this work was to evaluate the chemical composition of some plantation wood and the assessment of their compatibility with plaster. A quantitative analysis of the chemical composition each of the species (Eucalyptus saligna, Cupressus lusitanica and Eucalyptus paniculata) was carried out, followed by chemical compatibility evaluation using different types of wood particles. The quantitative analyses were carried out on wood powder of size between 0.27 and 0.30 mm. The results obtained were 2.4, 3.4 and 1.6% for ethanol–benzene extract (EAB); 2.6, 3.2 and 2.4% for hot water extract (EE); 12.4, 21.6 and 12.1% for 1% sodium hydroxide extract (ES); 48.6, 48.4 and 40.4% for cellulose content (C); 34.8, 34.3 and 36.3% for lignin content (L); then 0.1, 0.6, 0.3% for ash content (CE) respectively of E. saligna, C. lusitanica and E. paniculata. Chemical compatibility CA was measured from hydration temperature curves as a function of time using the area method. The results showed that compatibility CA decreased from 100 to 68% as the wood content in the composite increased up to 15% for all species and types of particles used. At this minimum value, the species was still considered as highly compatible in accordance with literature. Although compatibility is good, it decreased in the order E. paniculata followed by E. saligna and then C. lusitanica, the least compatible due to the inhibiting action of extractives. © 2017, Indian Academy of Wood Science.