Durability of tropical species from Peru according to European Standards

IRG/WP 20-10964

J Valdivia, P Gómez, M T Troya, L Robertson, J A Martín, A Loayza

Natural durability is defined as the intrinsic resistance of wood against the attack of destructive organisms. There are standardized methods to estimate a durability value. In Europe, the standard EN-350 is responsible for establishing the basic guidelines, as well as the necessary tests to determine this value, which is essential to know the degree of protection needed for the tested wood to extend its service life. This standard applies to commercial wood, both native and imported, and helps to improve and obtain better construction applications depending on the final use of the wood. However, there are many species, including tropical ones, for which there is no or little information available. In this work, the natural durability of four timber-bearing Amazonian species from Peru - Calycophyllum spruceanum Benth, Schizolobium excelsum Vogel, Matisia cordata Humb, et Bonpl, and Cedrelinga cateniformis Ducke - have been studied against the attack of xylophagous fungi and termites compliant with the current European regulations. The results show that these species are durable, a fact that opens up a potential market in South America to export this timber to Europe. The data obtained will be incorporated into the European standard EN-350, given that there is no information on these species in it, with the exception of C. catenaeformis


Keywords: durability, Calycophyllum spruceanum Benth, Schizolobium excelsum Vogel, Matisia cordata Humb, et Bonpl, Cedrelinga cateniformis Ducke

Conference: 20-06-10/11 IRG51 Webinar


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