The aim of this work has been to use the soft impressor technique to investigate the plastic deformation of single crystal diamond and in particular to determine the effect that single substitutional nitrogen has on plasticity. Traditionally hardness tests in the form of Vickers or Knoop rigid indenters have been used to investigate the mechanical properties of materials which cannot be fabricated into tensile or three point bend test specimens. The high stress concentrations created by these types of test introduce a large degree of brittle failure in ultra-hard, covalently bonded materials. The soft impressor technique, on the other hand, allows large pressures to be applied without large stress concentrations. The result is that plastic deformation can be more readily induced into super hard materials such as diamond. This work has shown that not only can diamond be readily plastically deformed but that traces of nitrogen impurities within the lattice have a significant effect on the conditions necessary to produce dislocations. For this work, several different soft impressors were used to produce a range of pressures in the temperature range 800° to 1400°C. A selection of synthetic (HPHT) diamonds with various nitrogen concentrations were impressed and compared with impressions placed in natural type IIa specimens containing no nitrogen but heavily dislocated. Numerous analytical techniques were used to determine the level of deformation produced and gain a better understanding of the effect of nitrogen related defects. The first two chapters of this thesis review, first plasticity and then diamond, with reference to those properties/characteristics relevant to this topic. The third chapter discusses the principle of the soft impressor technique and the methodologies used. In the fourth chapter, models by which single crystal diamond plastically deforms are introduced, together with results that have extended the brittle-ductile transition schematic produced by Brookes, EJ. (1992). Results on the effect of dwell time and the phenomenon of impression creep are also presented. The fifth chapter identifies the predominant defects associated with substitutional nitrogen in HPHT diamond and presents profiles of impressions for diamonds with different 'grown-in' defect levels. The results are discussed and conclusions are made, in conjunction with suggestions for further work in chapter 6.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2004. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

This thesis describes the novel test techniques that were developed to measure the parameters associated with the plastic shrinkage, and subsequent possible plastic shrinkage cracking, of high strength concrete. The parameters measured during the first 24 hours after placing were the stress- strain relationship, negative pore pressure and free shrinkage strain development. The plastic behaviour of eight high strength concrete mixes was quantified and these mixes were then tested to assess their propensity towards plastic shrinkage cracking, using restrained ring tests. A review of the parameters associated with plastic shrinkage cracking was carried out. The general view was that as the particle size in a cement matrix gets smaller, then the negative pore pressures developed are greater and hence shrinkage increases. This meant that the presence of secondary cementing materials, of very small diameter, such as microsilica, in high strength concretes would explain their apparent susceptibility to plastic shrinkage cracking. Eight high strength concrete mixes were tested in exposed and sealed conditions. It was found that when tested in sealed conditions none of the parameters measured presented itself as the sole driving force behind plastic shrinkage or plastic shrinkage cracking. Also, when cured in sealed conditions, none of the mixes tested in the restrained ring test apparatus cracked. When tested in exposed conditions, the presence of wind had little effect on the stress-strain relationship of the mixes tested. However the presence of wind seemed to cause negative pore pressures to develop earlier than in the sealed samples and increased free shrinkage by 3 to 40 times depending on the mix. The samples that exhibited the highest free shrinkage strains, in exposed conditions, were the mixes that cracked when tested in the restrained shrinkage rings. The mixes that cracked all contained microsilica and these mixes did not crack when the same mixes were tested without microsilica. Polypropylene fibres were found to reduce the cracked area of the samples that cracked. The supplementary cementing materials used in this study were ground granulated blast furnace slag, metakaolin, microsilica and pulverised fuel ash.

Um problema na indústria coureira é a deterioração de peles e couros devido ao desenvolvimento de microrganismos no processamento do couro. As peles e os couros contêm nutrientes adequados para o crescimento de microrganismos, como carboidratos, gorduras e proteínas, além das condições ambientais, alta umidade, temperatura de armazenagem e pH favoráveis. Alguns gêneros de bactérias e fungos sintetizam importantes substâncias deste substrato, causando modificações prejudiciais na superfície do couro e nas propriedades físico-mecânicas, deixando manchas pigmentadas de difícil remoção, afetando a qualidade do produto final e causando perda de valor comercial. Desta forma, surge a necessidade de desenvolver estratégias de controle dos microrganismos de modo a reduzir ou eliminar este problema. Para tanto, recorre-se comumente à utilização de microbicidas. No passado, a ação esperada dos agentes antimicrobianos era principalmente de fornecer uma proteção eficaz, mas em anos mais recentes, a preocupação com a sua toxicidade e com potenciais riscos ecológicos tornou-se também importante. Nos dias atuais uma grande preocupação mundial é o cuidado com a preservação do meio ambiente. Devido a isto, várias pesquisas estão voltadas para o desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias limpas e renováveis como também a otimização de processos. Tendo em vista a melhoria de processos no que diz respeito ao uso de microbicidas adicionados em peles e couros, para prevenir a contaminação dos mesmos por microrganismos, esta dissertação centrou-se na avaliação do desempenho de microbicidas comerciais convencionalmente utilizados na indústria do couro sendo eles 2-(tiocianometiltio) benzotiazole (TCMTB), isotiazolina, dispersão oleosa de 2-n-octil-4-isotiazolin-3-ona + carbendazim (OIT+BMC/óleo), dispersão aquosa de 2-n-octil-4-isotiazolin-3-ona + carbendazim (OIT+BMC/água), 2-n-octil-4-isotiazolin-3-ona (OIT) e para-cloro-meta-cresol (PCMC) contra as espécies de bactérias Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Streptomyces sp. e as espécies de fungos Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium herguei e Penicillium chrysogenum. Os microbicidas foram aplicados nas etapas de remolho, píquel, curtimento de couro com cromo e curtimento/engraxe com tanino vegetal. Os efeitos antimicrobianos dos microbicidas foram avaliados através de ensaios microbiológicos acelerados de plaqueamento e de acondicionamento em câmara tropical e testes de biodeterioração no solo, seguidos de análises visual, Microscopia eletrônica de varredura e ensaio de tração. Também foi testada a sorção e wash-out dos microbicidas em couros wet-blue. Outro teste feito nos próprios microbicidas foi o de concentração inibitória mínima (MIC). Os resultados demonstraram baixa capacidade antibacteriana e antifúngica dos microbicidas selecionados quando aplicados no processo de remolho contra o ataque das bactérias Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptomyces sp. e no processo de engraxe para o couro curtido com tanino vegetal contra o ataque dos fungos Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus. Dois dos microbicidas estudados, TCMTB e OIT+BMC/água aplicados no couro wet-blue, revelaram elevada capacidade antifúngica contra os quatro diferentes fungos testados. Dos microbicidas submetidos ao teste de absortividade e wash-out, o microbicida à base de TCMTB apresentou alta e rápida absortividade pelo couro wet-blue, além de possuir resistência à lavagem. / A problem in the leather industry is the deterioration of leather skins due to the development of microorganisms, in the processing of leather. The skin and leather containing nutrients suitable for the growth of microorganisms such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins , as well as environmental conditions, high humidity, storage temperature and pH favorable. Some genera of bacteria and fungi synthesize important ingredients of this substrate, causing harmful changes in the surface of the leather and the physical and mechanical properties, leaving pigmented spots are difficult to remove, affecting the quality of the final product and loss of commercial value. Thus, there arises the need to develop strategies for control of microorganisms in order to reduce or eliminate this problem, therefore, appeal commonly the use of microbicides. In the past, the expected action of antimicrobial agents was mainly to provide effective protection, but in more recent years, concerns about the toxicity and potential ecological risks has also become important. Nowadays a major global concern is the careful preservation of the environment, due to this many researches are focused on the development of new clean and renewable technologies as well as process optimization. In view of the improvement of processes in respect to the use of microbicides added to hides and skins to prevent contamination thereof by microorganisms , this work has focused on the evaluation of the performance of commercial microbicides conventionally used in the leather industry, 2-metiltiocianato benzothiazole (TCMTB) isothiazoline, oily dispersion of 2-n-octil-4-isotiazolin-3-ona + carbendazim (OIT+BMC/oil), water dispersion of 2-n-octil-4-isotiazolin-3-ona + carbendazim (OIT+BMC/water), 2-n-octil-4-isotiazolin-3-ona (OIT) and para-chloro-meta-cresol (PCMC), against the bacterial species Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosas and Streptomyces sp. e species of fungi Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, and Penicillium herguei Penicillium chrysogenum, compared with the control. Microbicides were applied in steps of soaking, pickling, chrome tanning and grease/tanning with vegetable tannin. The antimicrobial effects of microbicides made for these applications were evaluated by accelerated plating microbiological testing and tropical chamber rain and biodegradation tests on the ground, followed by analysis (visual , SEM and tensile test) . Also was tested the absorptivity and wash-out of microbicides in wet-blue leather. Another test done on their own microbicides was the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). The results showed low capacity antibacterial and antifungal activities of selected microbicides when applied in the process of soaking the attack of the bacteria Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptomyces. sp. e in the process of grease for leather vegetable tannin against fungal attack Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus. Two of microbicides studied TCMTB and OIT + BMC/water applied in wet-blue leather, high capacity antifungal against revealed four different fungi tested. For microbicides tested for absorbency and wash-out the microbicide based TCMTB showed high and rapid absorbency by wet-blue leather also has resistance to washing.

Um problema na indústria coureira é a deterioração de peles e couros devido ao desenvolvimento de microrganismos no processamento do couro. As peles e os couros contêm nutrientes adequados para o crescimento de microrganismos, como carboidratos, gorduras e proteínas, além das condições ambientais, alta umidade, temperatura de armazenagem e pH favoráveis. Alguns gêneros de bactérias e fungos sintetizam importantes substâncias deste substrato, causando modificações prejudiciais na superfície do couro e nas propriedades físico-mecânicas, deixando manchas pigmentadas de difícil remoção, afetando a qualidade do produto final e causando perda de valor comercial. Desta forma, surge a necessidade de desenvolver estratégias de controle dos microrganismos de modo a reduzir ou eliminar este problema. Para tanto, recorre-se comumente à utilização de microbicidas. No passado, a ação esperada dos agentes antimicrobianos era principalmente de fornecer uma proteção eficaz, mas em anos mais recentes, a preocupação com a sua toxicidade e com potenciais riscos ecológicos tornou-se também importante. Nos dias atuais uma grande preocupação mundial é o cuidado com a preservação do meio ambiente. Devido a isto, várias pesquisas estão voltadas para o desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias limpas e renováveis como também a otimização de processos. Tendo em vista a melhoria de processos no que diz respeito ao uso de microbicidas adicionados em peles e couros, para prevenir a contaminação dos mesmos por microrganismos, esta dissertação centrou-se na avaliação do desempenho de microbicidas comerciais convencionalmente utilizados na indústria do couro sendo eles 2-(tiocianometiltio) benzotiazole (TCMTB), isotiazolina, dispersão oleosa de 2-n-octil-4-isotiazolin-3-ona + carbendazim (OIT+BMC/óleo), dispersão aquosa de 2-n-octil-4-isotiazolin-3-ona + carbendazim (OIT+BMC/água), 2-n-octil-4-isotiazolin-3-ona (OIT) e para-cloro-meta-cresol (PCMC) contra as espécies de bactérias Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Streptomyces sp. e as espécies de fungos Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium herguei e Penicillium chrysogenum. Os microbicidas foram aplicados nas etapas de remolho, píquel, curtimento de couro com cromo e curtimento/engraxe com tanino vegetal. Os efeitos antimicrobianos dos microbicidas foram avaliados através de ensaios microbiológicos acelerados de plaqueamento e de acondicionamento em câmara tropical e testes de biodeterioração no solo, seguidos de análises visual, Microscopia eletrônica de varredura e ensaio de tração. Também foi testada a sorção e wash-out dos microbicidas em couros wet-blue. Outro teste feito nos próprios microbicidas foi o de concentração inibitória mínima (MIC). Os resultados demonstraram baixa capacidade antibacteriana e antifúngica dos microbicidas selecionados quando aplicados no processo de remolho contra o ataque das bactérias Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptomyces sp. e no processo de engraxe para o couro curtido com tanino vegetal contra o ataque dos fungos Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus. Dois dos microbicidas estudados, TCMTB e OIT+BMC/água aplicados no couro wet-blue, revelaram elevada capacidade antifúngica contra os quatro diferentes fungos testados. Dos microbicidas submetidos ao teste de absortividade e wash-out, o microbicida à base de TCMTB apresentou alta e rápida absortividade pelo couro wet-blue, além de possuir resistência à lavagem. / A problem in the leather industry is the deterioration of leather skins due to the development of microorganisms, in the processing of leather. The skin and leather containing nutrients suitable for the growth of microorganisms such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins , as well as environmental conditions, high humidity, storage temperature and pH favorable. Some genera of bacteria and fungi synthesize important ingredients of this substrate, causing harmful changes in the surface of the leather and the physical and mechanical properties, leaving pigmented spots are difficult to remove, affecting the quality of the final product and loss of commercial value. Thus, there arises the need to develop strategies for control of microorganisms in order to reduce or eliminate this problem, therefore, appeal commonly the use of microbicides. In the past, the expected action of antimicrobial agents was mainly to provide effective protection, but in more recent years, concerns about the toxicity and potential ecological risks has also become important. Nowadays a major global concern is the careful preservation of the environment, due to this many researches are focused on the development of new clean and renewable technologies as well as process optimization. In view of the improvement of processes in respect to the use of microbicides added to hides and skins to prevent contamination thereof by microorganisms , this work has focused on the evaluation of the performance of commercial microbicides conventionally used in the leather industry, 2-metiltiocianato benzothiazole (TCMTB) isothiazoline, oily dispersion of 2-n-octil-4-isotiazolin-3-ona + carbendazim (OIT+BMC/oil), water dispersion of 2-n-octil-4-isotiazolin-3-ona + carbendazim (OIT+BMC/water), 2-n-octil-4-isotiazolin-3-ona (OIT) and para-chloro-meta-cresol (PCMC), against the bacterial species Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosas and Streptomyces sp. e species of fungi Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, and Penicillium herguei Penicillium chrysogenum, compared with the control. Microbicides were applied in steps of soaking, pickling, chrome tanning and grease/tanning with vegetable tannin. The antimicrobial effects of microbicides made for these applications were evaluated by accelerated plating microbiological testing and tropical chamber rain and biodegradation tests on the ground, followed by analysis (visual , SEM and tensile test) . Also was tested the absorptivity and wash-out of microbicides in wet-blue leather. Another test done on their own microbicides was the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). The results showed low capacity antibacterial and antifungal activities of selected microbicides when applied in the process of soaking the attack of the bacteria Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptomyces. sp. e in the process of grease for leather vegetable tannin against fungal attack Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus. Two of microbicides studied TCMTB and OIT + BMC/water applied in wet-blue leather, high capacity antifungal against revealed four different fungi tested. For microbicides tested for absorbency and wash-out the microbicide based TCMTB showed high and rapid absorbency by wet-blue leather also has resistance to washing.

Um problema na indústria coureira é a deterioração de peles e couros devido ao desenvolvimento de microrganismos no processamento do couro. As peles e os couros contêm nutrientes adequados para o crescimento de microrganismos, como carboidratos, gorduras e proteínas, além das condições ambientais, alta umidade, temperatura de armazenagem e pH favoráveis. Alguns gêneros de bactérias e fungos sintetizam importantes substâncias deste substrato, causando modificações prejudiciais na superfície do couro e nas propriedades físico-mecânicas, deixando manchas pigmentadas de difícil remoção, afetando a qualidade do produto final e causando perda de valor comercial. Desta forma, surge a necessidade de desenvolver estratégias de controle dos microrganismos de modo a reduzir ou eliminar este problema. Para tanto, recorre-se comumente à utilização de microbicidas. No passado, a ação esperada dos agentes antimicrobianos era principalmente de fornecer uma proteção eficaz, mas em anos mais recentes, a preocupação com a sua toxicidade e com potenciais riscos ecológicos tornou-se também importante. Nos dias atuais uma grande preocupação mundial é o cuidado com a preservação do meio ambiente. Devido a isto, várias pesquisas estão voltadas para o desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias limpas e renováveis como também a otimização de processos. Tendo em vista a melhoria de processos no que diz respeito ao uso de microbicidas adicionados em peles e couros, para prevenir a contaminação dos mesmos por microrganismos, esta dissertação centrou-se na avaliação do desempenho de microbicidas comerciais convencionalmente utilizados na indústria do couro sendo eles 2-(tiocianometiltio) benzotiazole (TCMTB), isotiazolina, dispersão oleosa de 2-n-octil-4-isotiazolin-3-ona + carbendazim (OIT+BMC/óleo), dispersão aquosa de 2-n-octil-4-isotiazolin-3-ona + carbendazim (OIT+BMC/água), 2-n-octil-4-isotiazolin-3-ona (OIT) e para-cloro-meta-cresol (PCMC) contra as espécies de bactérias Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Streptomyces sp. e as espécies de fungos Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium herguei e Penicillium chrysogenum. Os microbicidas foram aplicados nas etapas de remolho, píquel, curtimento de couro com cromo e curtimento/engraxe com tanino vegetal. Os efeitos antimicrobianos dos microbicidas foram avaliados através de ensaios microbiológicos acelerados de plaqueamento e de acondicionamento em câmara tropical e testes de biodeterioração no solo, seguidos de análises visual, Microscopia eletrônica de varredura e ensaio de tração. Também foi testada a sorção e wash-out dos microbicidas em couros wet-blue. Outro teste feito nos próprios microbicidas foi o de concentração inibitória mínima (MIC). Os resultados demonstraram baixa capacidade antibacteriana e antifúngica dos microbicidas selecionados quando aplicados no processo de remolho contra o ataque das bactérias Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptomyces sp. e no processo de engraxe para o couro curtido com tanino vegetal contra o ataque dos fungos Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus. Dois dos microbicidas estudados, TCMTB e OIT+BMC/água aplicados no couro wet-blue, revelaram elevada capacidade antifúngica contra os quatro diferentes fungos testados. Dos microbicidas submetidos ao teste de absortividade e wash-out, o microbicida à base de TCMTB apresentou alta e rápida absortividade pelo couro wet-blue, além de possuir resistência à lavagem. / A problem in the leather industry is the deterioration of leather skins due to the development of microorganisms, in the processing of leather. The skin and leather containing nutrients suitable for the growth of microorganisms such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins , as well as environmental conditions, high humidity, storage temperature and pH favorable. Some genera of bacteria and fungi synthesize important ingredients of this substrate, causing harmful changes in the surface of the leather and the physical and mechanical properties, leaving pigmented spots are difficult to remove, affecting the quality of the final product and loss of commercial value. Thus, there arises the need to develop strategies for control of microorganisms in order to reduce or eliminate this problem, therefore, appeal commonly the use of microbicides. In the past, the expected action of antimicrobial agents was mainly to provide effective protection, but in more recent years, concerns about the toxicity and potential ecological risks has also become important. Nowadays a major global concern is the careful preservation of the environment, due to this many researches are focused on the development of new clean and renewable technologies as well as process optimization. In view of the improvement of processes in respect to the use of microbicides added to hides and skins to prevent contamination thereof by microorganisms , this work has focused on the evaluation of the performance of commercial microbicides conventionally used in the leather industry, 2-metiltiocianato benzothiazole (TCMTB) isothiazoline, oily dispersion of 2-n-octil-4-isotiazolin-3-ona + carbendazim (OIT+BMC/oil), water dispersion of 2-n-octil-4-isotiazolin-3-ona + carbendazim (OIT+BMC/water), 2-n-octil-4-isotiazolin-3-ona (OIT) and para-chloro-meta-cresol (PCMC), against the bacterial species Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosas and Streptomyces sp. e species of fungi Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, and Penicillium herguei Penicillium chrysogenum, compared with the control. Microbicides were applied in steps of soaking, pickling, chrome tanning and grease/tanning with vegetable tannin. The antimicrobial effects of microbicides made for these applications were evaluated by accelerated plating microbiological testing and tropical chamber rain and biodegradation tests on the ground, followed by analysis (visual , SEM and tensile test) . Also was tested the absorptivity and wash-out of microbicides in wet-blue leather. Another test done on their own microbicides was the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). The results showed low capacity antibacterial and antifungal activities of selected microbicides when applied in the process of soaking the attack of the bacteria Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptomyces. sp. e in the process of grease for leather vegetable tannin against fungal attack Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus. Two of microbicides studied TCMTB and OIT + BMC/water applied in wet-blue leather, high capacity antifungal against revealed four different fungi tested. For microbicides tested for absorbency and wash-out the microbicide based TCMTB showed high and rapid absorbency by wet-blue leather also has resistance to washing.

Green building standards recommend use of a variety of new thermal insulation products. However, durability of wooden framing used in conjunction with new insulation materials has not been thoroughly examined, specifically in reference to interstitial condensation. This research used a single-sided hot-box design to measure moisture content of wood framing during a 60-day period. The resulting moisture content of the wood framing was compared as tested with spray-applied cellulose and polyurethane versus fiberglass batt insulation. The average moisture content of framing insulated with cellulose and polyurethane was greater than framing insulated with fiberglass. Based on the results from this research, the use of spray-applied cellulose and polyurethane insulation materials may increase the risk of structural durability. Green building standards, such as LEED for Homes or the National Green Building Standard, emphasize creating energy efficient structures to limit negative impact on the environment. Green building practices employed to increase energy efficiency of the building enclosure may overlook possible adverse effects that these practices may have on structural durability. Because spray-applied cellulose and polyurethane insulation increase moisture content of wooden framework within building enclosures, it can be deduced that energy efficient insulation may increase risk of moisture-related biodeterioration of the building enclosure. After review of points awarded for insulation materials within LEED for Homes and the National Green Building Standard, results from this study imply that the National Green Building Standard does not emphasize durability of wooden structures in their guidelines at the present time. / Master of Science

Boron treated test houses at Mississippi State University’s Dorman Lake test site in Starkville, MS were built in 1989 to investigate the effectiveness of boron treatments with exposure to natural weathering. After being undisturbed for more than 20 years, samples were taken to evaluate the remaining levels of original treatments in the test houses. Visual evaluation of the test structures, curcumin test, and ICP-MS analysis of the borate content shows borates are a capable and effective long-term treatment for wood used in construction. No appreciable damage due to termite feeding was observed. Boron was still detectable by curcumin staining and positive boron levels were confirmed by ICP-MS analysis.

The aim of this work is the fungal contamination assessment on mortar painted with waterborne paint with and without biocide, this material is widely used in building. The identification of the commonest fungal species in this region and during one year and the biofilm gradual development was analysed and environment temperature, superficial temperature and humidity were also evaluated. Beyond the environment experiment, paper painted with 7 waterbonr paint were setting in controlled environment. The results showed that the main contaminants were Cladosporium sp. e Penicillium sp., that were settled on paint during all seasons. The others contaminants were: Alternaria sp., Aspergillus nigrum e A. aureum, Curvularia sp., Phoma sp. e Epicoccum nigrum and two fungal mycelia. In the environmental experiment, the best performance was paint 7, halb-brightness paint, commercially called first line. The controlled experiment showed that it needs a better development for its application, because it had a diverse results in relation to the field assay. / Este trabalho tem por objetivo o estudo da contaminação fúngica, tendo como substrato argamassa pintada com película seca de tinta latéx com e sem biocida, material amplamente utilizado no revertimento das paredes de residências e estabelecimentos comerciais. Procurouse identificar as espécies fúngicas mais comuns encontradas na região, como também a evolução do biofilme, e a incidência da microbiota fúngica em diversas épocas do ano. Foram identificadas as espécies de maior incidência na região em relação aos doze meses do ano, levando-se em consideração as temperaturas tanto ambientais como de superfície do substrato e a umidade relativa do ar. Além do experimento ambiental, foi empregado o ensaio acelerado utilizando-se papel pintado com os diversos tipos de tinta. Os resultados demonstraram que os principais contaminantes são Cladosporium sp. e Penicillium sp., estando esses fungos presentes nas quatro estações do ano. Os demais contaminantes, mas em menor proporção, são os fungos: Alternaria sp., Aspergillus nigrum e A. aureum, bem como os fungos Curvularia sp., Phoma sp. e Epicoccum nigrum, além de outros dois fungos que não apresentaram esporulação. No ensaio ambiental a tinta com melhor desempenho foi a tinta 7, semi-brilho, denominada comercialmente de primeira linha. O resultado do experimento acelerado demonstrou a necessidade de um melhor desenvolvimento do mesmo para sua aplicação, devido aos resultados diversos em relação ao ensaio de campo.