A new biobased composite material using bark fibres Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus nitens and Eucalyptus globulus are two of the most commercialized forest species in Chile. In recent years, it has been a steep rise in Eucalyptus plantations, increasing the total cultivated area from 716,931 hectares in 2010 to 841,480 hectares in 2014. The main problem associated with this situation is the post-process waste generation. In this context, Eucalyptus sp. bark, contrary to Pinus radiata bark, presents disadvantages in handling, storage, disposal and use as fuel, becoming an undesirable by-product. However, Eucalyptus bark has competitive present an alternative use to add value to this lignocellulosic raw material.

Fibers produced from bark were used to develop thermal-insulation building panels which not conductivity. The current trends to develop sustainable materials, as well as new regulations regarding thermal insulation of construction materials in Chile, provide good opportunities for this type of products.

Bark of Eucalyptus sp. was supplied by a wood chipping company and then treated mechanically. content between 20 and 30% (dry basis) offered the best conditions to process Eucalyptus bark.

A thermal conductivity was analyzed: the latter was directly proportional to the former, with experimental values within 0.05 to 0.07 W/m/K for panel densities between 80 and 250 kg/m³. These characteristics are similar to those reported for commercial products based on natural

Finally, due to the inherent bark nature, degradability tests for mold damage and combustion behavior were also carried out. Results showed that the Eucalyptus bark thermal-insulation construction systems.