08 – García Esteban, L. Medina, J.C. de Palacios, P. Guindeo, A. García Fernández, F. Oriented stranboard panels made from quebracho blanco (Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco Schlecht.) and Pinus taeda L. Forest Product Journal. 56(5): 37-42.

Abstract: Through this work, the technical and industrial viability of the use of the wood of quebracho blanco (Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco Schlecht.) in the making of oriented strandboard (OSB) panels was studied. Due to the high density of this wood, a mixture was made using strands of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.), whose low density allows panels with technological features in line with the requirements of market standards to be obtained. Thirty-six boards with a strand geometry of 59 mm (length) and 0.50 mm (thickness) were made using quebracho and loblolly pine. The percentage of quebracho in the core layer and the surface layers was varied. Three percentages of quebracho were used: 20, 40, and 60 percent. Finally, 24 panels with 3 different dosages of binder were tested: 7, 10, and 13 percent in relation to the dry wood weight. The bonding was done on the quebracho and pine strands both mixed together and separately. Tests were done on parallel and perpendicular bending, perpendicular tension, and swelling. The statistical analyses concluded that OSB can be made using quebracho and loblolly pine using a maximum of 40 percent quebracho strands in the surface layers and 60 percent in the core layer, with separate bonding of the strands recommended.