Caracterización de las propiedades químicas, físicas y mecánicas de la madera de Hevea brasiliensis procedente de la hacienda Santa Rita, provincia Los Ríos.

Abstract

This research aimed to characterize the chemical, physical and mechanical properties of Hevea brasiliensis wood from the Santa Rita farm, Los Ríos province, from three trees and nine studied sections. The tests were carried out under technical procedures, with the application of various standards and the use of several laboratories belonging to the Higher Polytechnic School of Chimborazo. Once a total of seventy-two probes had been verified for the different properties, it was possible to verify the use of descriptive statistics by means of which the difference between sections was visible for the tests, in terms of the number of trees, no differences were found. For the chemical properties, the pH of the wood was determined in the green state, obtaining a pH of 6.89 considered slightly acidic. For the physical properties of the wood, the moisture content was determined presenting values of 48.6% and a basic density of 457.82 Kg/m3. In terms of the specific weight, the species presented values similar to the density with the difference of the change in the units of measure. Regarding the mechanical properties. It presented a medium flexibility, on the other hand, the parallel and perpendicular compression presented a medium compression resistance both parallel and perpendicular to the fiber, thus relating to the following species Virola spp., Jacaranda spp., and Pinus sylvestris, which have similar mechanical properties. In terms of species with a higher commercial value, it resembled Cordia alliodora both in its flexibility and in its resistance to compression. In this way, it was concluded that the information generated contributed greatly to the industries to improve the use of the species studied.