PROPERTIES OF EUCALYPTUS STERIATICALYX WOOD GROWN IN SOUTHERN REGION OF IRAN

Abstract

Eight-nineteen-year-old trees from Eucalytus steriaticalyx from Dehnow experimental Plantation located 160 Km. South west of Shiraz were selected randomly and fell two from each of the four blocks. From each tree, 10 cm thick cross-sectional discs at several different heights (3 meters intervals) were cut and together with remaining boles then transferred to the Alborz Research Center-Karaj for laboratory studies. The laboratory studies included determination of physical, anatomical and mechanical properties as well as chemical compositions of wood.The mechanical properties were evaluated on the ASTM samples for air-dry and green conditions. The following conclusions were drawn from this study:E. steriaticalyx from one site in southern region of Iran has an average specific gravity of 0.935, fiber length of 0.881 mm, fiber diameter of 16.063 m, lumen diameter of 4.465 m, cell wall thickness 5.789 m, cellulose content of 47.07 percent.It was found that the mean values of modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity and compression strength-parallel to grain tested at green condition were 67.35 MPa, 8649 MPa and 35.36 MPa and air- condition were 117.53 MPa, 13397 MPa and 72.31 MPa respectively.Data are also presented on other mechanical properties such as impact strength, nail withdrawal cleavage and etc.

Keywords

• Eucalyptus
• STERIATICALYX
• SPECIFIC GRAVITY
• CELLULOSE
• LIGNIN
• FIBER LENGTH
• MOR
• MOE