Underlying all my work is a tension between the painter and the builder. I love to paint. I love the lie inherent in paint: that it can make a picture plane masquerade as light, space, or recognizable place with recognizable figuration. I love how paint—particularly oil paint—can rest in gloppy piles, how it can drip, splatter, spread, or how it can squeeze out of paint tubes in long, stringy beads. I love how paint changes how we see an interior space or a three-dimensional form. Yet I also love building things—usually out of wood—measuring and cutting, fastening things together—all to serve a function or solve a problem. In every studio I have had, there has always been an arms race between my fine art supplies and my tools. My work during my three years at the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Texas at Austin has undergone some dramatic changes. In large part this paper will elaborate and evaluate the trajectory of these changes. Yet, in spite of these changes, the competing impulses to paint and to build have remained constant. This report will leave unanswered the question whether these two impulses can or should be reconciled, kept separate, or whether one should be sacrificed in favor of the other. The artist writing this report does not know at this point in time, and cannot hope to answer this question without making more work in a new context. This report instead will reveal how I arrived at the work I am making at the time of writing this report, and why I regard this new body of work as being about the “paint gap.” I define the “paint gap” as the distinction—mild or strong—between paint itself and the object or surface upon which paint is applied. / text

Medium density fiberboard (MDF) production uses thermomechanically refined fiber processed under shear with high pressure steam. The industry evaluates fiber quality with visual and tactile inspection, emphasizing fiber dimensions, morphology, and bulk density. Considering wood reactivity, the hypothesis is that a variety of chemical and physical changes must occur that are not apparent in visual/tactile inspection. An industry/university cooperation, this work studies effects of refining energy (adjusted by refiner-plate gap) on fiber: size, porosity, surface area, surface and bulk chemistry, fiber crystallinity and rheology, and fiber interaction with amino resins. The intention is to reveal novel aspects of fiber quality that might impact MDF properties or process control efficiency, specific to a single industrial facility. In cooperation with a North American MDF Douglas fir plant, two refining energies were used to produce resin and additive-free fibers. Refining reduced fiber dimensions and increased bulk density, more so at the highest energy. Thermoporosimetry showed increases in sub-micron scale porosity, greatest at the highest energy. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) revealed porosity changes on a higher dimensional scale. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller gas adsorption and MIP showed that refining increased specific surface area, more so at the highest energy. Inverse gas chromatography showed that the lowest refining energy produced surfaces dominated by lignin and/or extractives. The highest energy produced more fiber damage, revealing higher energy active sites. A novel rheological method was devised to study fiber compaction and densification; it did not distinguish fiber types, but valuable aspects of mechano-sorption and densification were observed. Refining caused substantial polysaccharide degradation, and other degradative effects that sometimes correlated with higher refining energy. Lignin acidolysis was detected using nitrobenzene oxidation, conductometric titration of free phenols, and formaldehyde determination. Formaldehyde was generated via the C2 lignin acidolysis pathway, but C3 cleavage was the dominant lignin reaction. Observations suggested that in-line formaldehyde monitoring might be useful for process control during biomass processing. According to rheological and thermogravimetric analysis, lignin acidolysis was not accompanied by repolymerization and crosslinking. Lignin repolymerization must have been prevented by the reaction of benzyl cations with non-lignin nucleophiles. This raises consideration of additives that compete for lignin benzyl cations, perhaps to promote lignin crosslinking and/or augment the lignin network with structures that impart useful properties. Fiber/amino resin interactions were studied with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). All fiber types, refined and unrefined, caused only a slight increase in melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) resin reactivity. Generally, all fiber types decreased the enthalpy of MUF cure, suggesting fiber absorption of small reactive species. But DSC did not reveal any dependency on fiber refining energy. According to XRD, all fiber types reduced crystallinity in cured MUF, more so with refined fiber, but independent of refining energy. The crystallinity in cured urea-formaldehyde resin was studied with one fiber type (highest refining energy); it caused a crystallinity decrease that was cure temperature dependent. This suggests that resin crystallinity could vary through the thickness of an MDF panel. / PHD

Formaldehyde is a colorless gas that is found naturally in the environment. It is a popular additive in many consumer products including composite wood products. Composite wood products are engineered wood panels produced from pressing pieces, chips, particles, or fibers of wood together at high temperatures held together with a bonding agent. This bonding agent is often formaldehyde-containing resins that are known to release formaldehyde over time. This is concerning because of the carcinogenic classification of formaldehyde, the wide spread application of composite wood products, and the increasing amount of time spent in the indoor environment. In a controlled 0.53 m3 chamber, a panel of medium density fiberboard (MDF) with a surface area of 4.49 m2 was subjected to multiple temperatures to measure formaldehyde emissions. The panels were allowed to acclimate for 48 hours followed by a 72 hour sample period using passive diffusive monitors at temperatures: 26.1, 29.3, 34.1, and 38.9 °C. The results of the study found a strong relationship (R2 = 0.9954) between the emission rate of formaldehyde from MDF and temperature. The emission rate increased 192% between 26.1 °C and 38.9 °C. The results of the study indicate that as temperature increases, the amount of formaldehyde emitted from a panel of MDF also increases. This results in higher airborne concentrations of formaldehyde in environments where the panels are present.

Wood waste containing formaldehyde based resins are generated yearly and disposed in landfills or burned. No regulations exist in most states and no studies have been conducted to address formaldehyde emission from wood waste buried in landfills. The objective of this study was to: a) determine the amount of formaldehyde released into air and leachate from MDF disposed in a simulated landfill, b) analyze the environmental impacts of leachate containing formaldehyde, and c) investigate change in chemical and morphological properties of disposed MDF. Sampling of MDF, soil and leachate were conducted for determination of formaldehyde weekly for 56 days by HPLC. Environmental impacts of leachate was determined by BOD, COD, and toxicity. Changes in the chemical composition and morphological structures were also determined. No detectable formaldehyde was observed in MDF, soil or leachate after 28 days. The BOD and COD levels indicated the leachate was not suitable for drinking.

Constata-se, atualmente, uma grande demanda de crescimento na produção de painéis MDF de madeira de eucalipto em relação à do pinus, comumente utilizada na indústria. Pelo exposto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar os componentes morfológicos da madeira de cavacos de Eucalyptus grandis, “in natura” e submetidas a três condições diferentes de desfibramento (tempo, pressão e energia), sendo denominadas de condição intermediária, de menor e de maior intensidade de refino (A, B e C, respectivamente). As características tecnológicas das chapas MDF obtidas para as três condições de desfibramento foram, da mesma forma, analisadas segundo a norma NBR 15316. No desenvolvimento do trabalho foram coletados para as três condições de desfibramento, em toda a cadeia produtiva do painel MDF: cavacos de madeira, material lenhoso desfibrado e painéis MDF final em escala industrial e laboratorial. Os cavacos de madeira foram caracterizados com respeito a sua estrutura microscópica; o material lenhoso desfibrado nas 3 condições foi avaliado através do seu fracionamento em peneiras seguindo-se a classificação morfológica e a caracterização microscópica dos componentes celulares de cada fração. Os resultados mostraram que os cavacos de madeira coletados no silo da unidade fabril apresentaram-se homogêneos nas 3 pré-condições avaliadas e não exerceram qualquer influência nos tratamentos. A condição de desfibramento mais branda induziu a formação de feixes de fibra e manutenção de vasos e parênquima com as fibras apresentando maior comprimento médio. A condição de desfibramento mais drástica induziu o rompimento da parede das fibras, com polpa apresentando fibras de menor comprimento e com baixa freqüência de vasos e de parênquima. As características de coloração foram observadas, sendo que a massa de fibras mais escura foi decorrente da alta pressão, maior tempo e mais energia de refinação aplicada. Os painéis MDF obtidos na condição mais branda apresentaram maior resistência ao arranque de parafuso, ao contrário dos painéis MDF confeccionados com polpa da condição de desfibramento mais drástica mostrando menores propriedades mecânicas de resistência à tração perpendicular e superficial e maiores valores de inchamento e de absorção. Os resultados do trabalho evidenciam a importância das variáveis de produção relacionadas com os tratamentos da madeira e do material fibroso nas propriedades tecnológicas dos painéis MDF de eucalipto. / Currently is evidenced a great demand of growth in eucalypts MDF panels production in relation with pinus, commonly used in the industry. The present study had the objective to characterize the morphologic components of Eucalyptus grandis wood chips “in natura” submitted in three different refining conditions (time, pressure and energy), named intermediate, smaller and biggest intensity of refining (A, B and C, respectively). The technological characteristics of MDF panels from three refining conditions were analyzed according standard NBR 15316. During this development were collected for three refining conditions, in all the productive chain of the MDF panels: wood chips, wooden dissociated material and panels MDF in industrial and laboratorial scale. The wood chips structure were microscopically characterized; the dissociated wood cells suspended in water of 3 refining conditions were evaluated through its separation in sieves and each fraction of woody material was morphologically classified and microscopically described. The results showed that the wood chips collected in industry storage compartment were homogeneous in the 3 refining preconditions and not influenced the MDF panel's treatments. The softness refining condition induced the shives formation and maintenance of vessels, parenchyma and the longest fibers. The more drastic refining condition induced the fiber cell walls broking, with wood pulp presenting shortest fibers and lower vessels and parenchyma frequency. The coloration characteristics were observed, and the fiber pulp was darker as result of the high pressure, greater time and more refinement energy applied. The MDF panels elaborated by softness refining condition presented greater resistance to screw pull in contrast of panels confectioned with hardness refining condition showing lesser mechanical properties of perpendicular and superficial tensile strength and bigger values of swelling and absorption. The results showed the importance of the variable related production with the wood and pulp wood treatments in technological properties of eucalypts MDF panels.

Constata-se, atualmente, uma grande demanda de crescimento na produção de painéis MDF de madeira de eucalipto em relação à do pinus, comumente utilizada na indústria. Pelo exposto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar os componentes morfológicos da madeira de cavacos de Eucalyptus grandis, “in natura” e submetidas a três condições diferentes de desfibramento (tempo, pressão e energia), sendo denominadas de condição intermediária, de menor e de maior intensidade de refino (A, B e C, respectivamente). As características tecnológicas das chapas MDF obtidas para as três condições de desfibramento foram, da mesma forma, analisadas segundo a norma NBR 15316. No desenvolvimento do trabalho foram coletados para as três condições de desfibramento, em toda a cadeia produtiva do painel MDF: cavacos de madeira, material lenhoso desfibrado e painéis MDF final em escala industrial e laboratorial. Os cavacos de madeira foram caracterizados com respeito a sua estrutura microscópica; o material lenhoso desfibrado nas 3 condições foi avaliado através do seu fracionamento em peneiras seguindo-se a classificação morfológica e a caracterização microscópica dos componentes celulares de cada fração. Os resultados mostraram que os cavacos de madeira coletados no silo da unidade fabril apresentaram-se homogêneos nas 3 pré-condições avaliadas e não exerceram qualquer influência nos tratamentos. A condição de desfibramento mais branda induziu a formação de feixes de fibra e manutenção de vasos e parênquima com as fibras apresentando maior comprimento médio. A condição de desfibramento mais drástica induziu o rompimento da parede das fibras, com polpa apresentando fibras de menor comprimento e com baixa freqüência de vasos e de parênquima. As características de coloração foram observadas, sendo que a massa de fibras mais escura foi decorrente da alta pressão, maior tempo e mais energia de refinação aplicada. Os painéis MDF obtidos na condição mais branda apresentaram maior resistência ao arranque de parafuso, ao contrário dos painéis MDF confeccionados com polpa da condição de desfibramento mais drástica mostrando menores propriedades mecânicas de resistência à tração perpendicular e superficial e maiores valores de inchamento e de absorção. Os resultados do trabalho evidenciam a importância das variáveis de produção relacionadas com os tratamentos da madeira e do material fibroso nas propriedades tecnológicas dos painéis MDF de eucalipto. / Currently is evidenced a great demand of growth in eucalypts MDF panels production in relation with pinus, commonly used in the industry. The present study had the objective to characterize the morphologic components of Eucalyptus grandis wood chips “in natura” submitted in three different refining conditions (time, pressure and energy), named intermediate, smaller and biggest intensity of refining (A, B and C, respectively). The technological characteristics of MDF panels from three refining conditions were analyzed according standard NBR 15316. During this development were collected for three refining conditions, in all the productive chain of the MDF panels: wood chips, wooden dissociated material and panels MDF in industrial and laboratorial scale. The wood chips structure were microscopically characterized; the dissociated wood cells suspended in water of 3 refining conditions were evaluated through its separation in sieves and each fraction of woody material was morphologically classified and microscopically described. The results showed that the wood chips collected in industry storage compartment were homogeneous in the 3 refining preconditions and not influenced the MDF panel's treatments. The softness refining condition induced the shives formation and maintenance of vessels, parenchyma and the longest fibers. The more drastic refining condition induced the fiber cell walls broking, with wood pulp presenting shortest fibers and lower vessels and parenchyma frequency. The coloration characteristics were observed, and the fiber pulp was darker as result of the high pressure, greater time and more refinement energy applied. The MDF panels elaborated by softness refining condition presented greater resistance to screw pull in contrast of panels confectioned with hardness refining condition showing lesser mechanical properties of perpendicular and superficial tensile strength and bigger values of swelling and absorption. The results showed the importance of the variable related production with the wood and pulp wood treatments in technological properties of eucalypts MDF panels.

O aumento do consumo da madeira e de seus produtos, como os painéis de madeira, estimula o desenvolvimento de tecnologia de produtos que utilizam os insumos caracterizados como resíduos. Neste aspecto, o país reúne vantagens competitivas, pela extensa área de plantações de eucalipto de alta produtividade, detém a primeira posição na produção de cana-de-açúcar e possui um parque industrial com avançada tecnologia de produção de painéis de fibras e de partículas. Com este contexto, o presente trabalho teve como principal objetivo a confecção e a caracterização tecnológica de painéis de fibras de madeira de eucalipto, Eucalyptus grandis e de partículas do bagaço do colmo de cana-de-açúcar, Saccharum sp. Os ensaios laboratoriais compreenderam, inicialmente, a caracterização macroscópica das matérias primas e suas misturas, bem como classificação granulométrica do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar. Em seguida, foram estabelecidas 2 etapas referentes ao processo de confecção dos painéis, denominadas etapa A (0-100% de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar, com variações de 25%; 14% de resina UF) e etapa B (0-25% de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar, com variações de 5%; 13 e 16% de resina UF). A caracterização tecnológica dos painéis compreendeu a análise da sua morfologia (microscopia MEV, microtomografia de raios X/microCT), densitometria de raios X, propriedades físicas (densidade, inchamento, absorção e umidade), mecânicas (MOR, MOE, resistências à trações perpendicular e superficial, arrancamento de parafuso); análises óticas por deflectometria, química (espectroscopia NIR, teor de formol livre e sílica) e durabilidade natural (bioensaios de fungos xilófagos e cupins). Os resultados da avaliação morfológica indicaram diferenças da estrutura anatômica das matérias primas e de granulometria das partículas de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar. A avaliação morfológica dos painéis evidenciou, através da microCT, a homogeneidade da matriz fibrosa, cuja composição anatômica foi diferenciada através do MEV. Na caracterização das propriedades físico-mecânicas, os perfis de densidade aparente dos painéis, típicos de painéis de fibras, indicaram a influência da matéria prima e sua mistura. Ainda, verificou-se uma redução das propriedades mecânicas, notadamente MOR, MOE e resistência á tração perpendicular, dos painéis confeccionados com mais de 50% de partículas do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar; quanto à resina, 16% resultou em melhor desempenho tecnológico em relação à 13%. Os valores de MOE dos painéis foram similares aos obtidos pela aplicação da técnica ótica de deflectometria. O aumento percentual de partículas do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar nos painéis resultou em redução do teor de formol livre e no aumento do teor de sílica. A aplicação da metodologia NIR permitiu a diferenciação das fibras da madeira de eucalipto e das partículas de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e seus percentuais praticados. Nos bioensaios os painéis (etapa B) não apresentaram diferenças significativas quanto à resistência ao ataque de fungos e cupins. Os resultados permitem concluir que os painéis de fibras de eucalipto e partículas de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar, como matéria prima alternativa e em percentuais entre 5-25%, apresentaram propriedades tecnológicas que atendem às normas, indicando o potencial da utilização desta biomassa para produtos de maior valor agregado. / The increased consumption of wood and its products, such as wood panels, stimulates the development of technology for products that use inputs characterized as waste. In this respect, Brazil has competitive advantages regarding the large area of high-yield eucalyptus crops; Brazil is the worlds major sugarcane producer and has an industrial sector with advanced technology for fiberboards and particleboards production. Therefore, this study aimed to develop the manufacture and technological characterization of wood fibers from eucalyptus, Eucalyptus grandis, and stalk particles of sugarcane bagasse, Saccharum sp. Laboratory analyses included, initially, the macroscopic characterization of raw materials and their mixtures as well as sorting granules of crushed sugarcane bagasse. Then, two steps were established for the panel-making process, called phase A (0-100% of sugarcane bagasse, with variations of 25%, 14% UF resin) and phase B (0 - 25% of sugarcane bagasse, with variations of 5%, 13 and 16% UF resin). The technological characterization of the panels comprised the morphology analysis (SEM microscopy, X-ray microtomography / microCT), X-ray densitometry, physical properties (density, swelling in thickness, absorption and moisture content), mechanical (MOR, MOE, internal bond, surface resistance and axial withdrawal of screw); optical analysis by deflectometry, chemical (NIR spectroscopy, free formaldehyde content of sand content) and natural durability (bioassays of fungi and termites). The results indicated morphological differences of anatomical structure of raw materials and particle size of sugarcane bagasse. The morphological evaluation of the panels showed, through the microCT, the homogeneity of the fibrous matrix, whose anatomical composition was different through SEM. In the characterization of physical-mechanical properties, the density profiles of the panels, typical of fiberboards, indicated the influence of raw materials and their mixture. Still, there was a reduction of mechanical properties, notably MOR, MOE and internal bond to the panels made with more than 50% of sugarcane bagasse particles; regarding the resin, 16% resulted in better technological performance compared to 13%. The MOE values of the panels were similar to those obtained by applying the deflectometry technique. The percentage of sugarcane bagasse particles in the panels resulted in reduction of the level of free formaldehyde and increase of the sand content. The use of the NIR methodology allowed the differentiation of eucalyptus wood fibers and particles of sugarcane and their percentage applied. In bioassays, the panels (step B) showed no significant differences in resistance to fungi and termites. The results indicate that the panels of eucalyptus fibers and particles of sugarcane bagasse, as an alternative raw material and at percentages between 5-25% showed technological properties that meet the standards, indicating the potential use of this biomass for products with higher value added.

O aumento do consumo da madeira e de seus produtos, como os painéis de madeira, estimula o desenvolvimento de tecnologia de produtos que utilizam os insumos caracterizados como resíduos. Neste aspecto, o país reúne vantagens competitivas, pela extensa área de plantações de eucalipto de alta produtividade, detém a primeira posição na produção de cana-de-açúcar e possui um parque industrial com avançada tecnologia de produção de painéis de fibras e de partículas. Com este contexto, o presente trabalho teve como principal objetivo a confecção e a caracterização tecnológica de painéis de fibras de madeira de eucalipto, Eucalyptus grandis e de partículas do bagaço do colmo de cana-de-açúcar, Saccharum sp. Os ensaios laboratoriais compreenderam, inicialmente, a caracterização macroscópica das matérias primas e suas misturas, bem como classificação granulométrica do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar. Em seguida, foram estabelecidas 2 etapas referentes ao processo de confecção dos painéis, denominadas etapa A (0-100% de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar, com variações de 25%; 14% de resina UF) e etapa B (0-25% de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar, com variações de 5%; 13 e 16% de resina UF). A caracterização tecnológica dos painéis compreendeu a análise da sua morfologia (microscopia MEV, microtomografia de raios X/microCT), densitometria de raios X, propriedades físicas (densidade, inchamento, absorção e umidade), mecânicas (MOR, MOE, resistências à trações perpendicular e superficial, arrancamento de parafuso); análises óticas por deflectometria, química (espectroscopia NIR, teor de formol livre e sílica) e durabilidade natural (bioensaios de fungos xilófagos e cupins). Os resultados da avaliação morfológica indicaram diferenças da estrutura anatômica das matérias primas e de granulometria das partículas de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar. A avaliação morfológica dos painéis evidenciou, através da microCT, a homogeneidade da matriz fibrosa, cuja composição anatômica foi diferenciada através do MEV. Na caracterização das propriedades físico-mecânicas, os perfis de densidade aparente dos painéis, típicos de painéis de fibras, indicaram a influência da matéria prima e sua mistura. Ainda, verificou-se uma redução das propriedades mecânicas, notadamente MOR, MOE e resistência á tração perpendicular, dos painéis confeccionados com mais de 50% de partículas do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar; quanto à resina, 16% resultou em melhor desempenho tecnológico em relação à 13%. Os valores de MOE dos painéis foram similares aos obtidos pela aplicação da técnica ótica de deflectometria. O aumento percentual de partículas do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar nos painéis resultou em redução do teor de formol livre e no aumento do teor de sílica. A aplicação da metodologia NIR permitiu a diferenciação das fibras da madeira de eucalipto e das partículas de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e seus percentuais praticados. Nos bioensaios os painéis (etapa B) não apresentaram diferenças significativas quanto à resistência ao ataque de fungos e cupins. Os resultados permitem concluir que os painéis de fibras de eucalipto e partículas de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar, como matéria prima alternativa e em percentuais entre 5-25%, apresentaram propriedades tecnológicas que atendem às normas, indicando o potencial da utilização desta biomassa para produtos de maior valor agregado. / The increased consumption of wood and its products, such as wood panels, stimulates the development of technology for products that use inputs characterized as waste. In this respect, Brazil has competitive advantages regarding the large area of high-yield eucalyptus crops; Brazil is the worlds major sugarcane producer and has an industrial sector with advanced technology for fiberboards and particleboards production. Therefore, this study aimed to develop the manufacture and technological characterization of wood fibers from eucalyptus, Eucalyptus grandis, and stalk particles of sugarcane bagasse, Saccharum sp. Laboratory analyses included, initially, the macroscopic characterization of raw materials and their mixtures as well as sorting granules of crushed sugarcane bagasse. Then, two steps were established for the panel-making process, called phase A (0-100% of sugarcane bagasse, with variations of 25%, 14% UF resin) and phase B (0 - 25% of sugarcane bagasse, with variations of 5%, 13 and 16% UF resin). The technological characterization of the panels comprised the morphology analysis (SEM microscopy, X-ray microtomography / microCT), X-ray densitometry, physical properties (density, swelling in thickness, absorption and moisture content), mechanical (MOR, MOE, internal bond, surface resistance and axial withdrawal of screw); optical analysis by deflectometry, chemical (NIR spectroscopy, free formaldehyde content of sand content) and natural durability (bioassays of fungi and termites). The results indicated morphological differences of anatomical structure of raw materials and particle size of sugarcane bagasse. The morphological evaluation of the panels showed, through the microCT, the homogeneity of the fibrous matrix, whose anatomical composition was different through SEM. In the characterization of physical-mechanical properties, the density profiles of the panels, typical of fiberboards, indicated the influence of raw materials and their mixture. Still, there was a reduction of mechanical properties, notably MOR, MOE and internal bond to the panels made with more than 50% of sugarcane bagasse particles; regarding the resin, 16% resulted in better technological performance compared to 13%. The MOE values of the panels were similar to those obtained by applying the deflectometry technique. The percentage of sugarcane bagasse particles in the panels resulted in reduction of the level of free formaldehyde and increase of the sand content. The use of the NIR methodology allowed the differentiation of eucalyptus wood fibers and particles of sugarcane and their percentage applied. In bioassays, the panels (step B) showed no significant differences in resistance to fungi and termites. The results indicate that the panels of eucalyptus fibers and particles of sugarcane bagasse, as an alternative raw material and at percentages between 5-25% showed technological properties that meet the standards, indicating the potential use of this biomass for products with higher value added.

No description available.