Prototipagem de painéis construídos com bainhas de bambu gigante (Dendrocalamus asper)

Abstract

Wood is a material with various applications; however, its use is influenced by a number of factors. In this regard, panels have been proving to be an alternative, as they offer wide versatility of use and can be made from both timber and non-timber forest residues (Piekarski, 2013). Thus, the aim of this work was to create panel prototypes with bamboo sheaths (Dendrocalamus asper) for interior space cladding to reduce heat conductivity, aiming to increase thermal comfort in the environment. Bamboos are non-timber forest products and have a byproduct called sheaths (bamboo culm leaves), which are described as a residual organic substance. They are natural fibers (lignocellulosic) that emerge as the bamboo culm grows. After the first year of the bamboo culm's life, the sheaths complete their cycle, dry out, and detach, then becoming residues lying on the ground. For the assembly of the panel prototypes, the raw material was collected from bamboo sheaths (culm sheaths) of the species Dendrocalamus asper, grown at the Research and Extension Unit (UNEPE) Reforestation of the Federal University of Technology – Paraná, Dois Vizinhos Campus. The sheaths that were on the ground and showed less conicity were collected. The procedures and all stages were carried out in the university's own Wood Technology Laboratory. A methodology was established for the development of the product and the type of adhesive, since there are still no descriptions available in the literature for the material tested. Next, the type of cut and the size of the bamboo sheath blades were defined. Once these definitions were made, the process of cutting the blades for the creation of the twenty prototypes began. With the blades ready, the next steps were bonding, pressing, and curing the adhesive. The curing was carried out at room temperature. Once the prototypes were ready, the phase of Thermal Conductivity testing of the prototypes began. For the tests, a box made of MDF wood was used. This box is divided into environments 1 and 2, separated by the prototype. Inside the box, a Thomas Edison incandescent lamp with a power of 100 W was used as the heat source. After the tests were performed, calculations and analyses were carried out using Excel software. The results proved to be promising. Through the analysis of temperature variation, it was possible to observe a difference of approximately 20 °C between the two environments, indicating that the tested material behaves as a thermal insulator. The average thermal conductivity value found was 0.08 W/ (m ºC), equal to the value of the Soft-Board panel. Therefore, the tested material has shown potential for the market; it is an insulating, sustainable, and innovative product.