Wood Composites

Part One: Materials for wood composites

1: Wood microstructure – A cellular composite

• Abstract
• 1.1 Introduction
• 1.2 Cellular microstructure
• 1.3 Moisture and the composite wood cell wall
• 1.4 Orthotropic properties of wood

2: Processing of wood for wood composites

• Abstract
• 2.1 Introduction
• 2.2 Raw material characteristics
• 2.3 Raw material quality requirements
• 2.4 Peeling and slicing to produce veneers
• 2.5 Sawmilling to produce solid timber
• 2.6 Chipping, flaking and fibre production
• 2.7 Nanocellulose for advanced biocomposites

3: Adhesives for wood composites

• Abstract
• 3.1 Introduction – A brief history of wood composites resins
• 3.2 Common resins for current composite technologies
• 3.3 Other currently used resins
• 3.4 The future of resins for composites applications
• 3.5 Conclusions

Part Two: Wood composites and their applications

4: Plywood and other veneer-based products

• Abstract
• 4.1 Introduction
• 4.2 History and market
• 4.3 The manufacturing process
• 4.4 Properties and performance
• 4.5 Applications and future trends
• 4.6 Resources

5: Fibreboards and their applications

• Abstract
• 5.1 Introduction
• 5.2 Hardboard
• 5.3 Medium density fibreboard

6: Chipboard, oriented strand board (OSB) and structural composite lumber

• Abstract
• 6.1 Introduction
• 6.2 Chipboard
• 6.3 Oriented strand board
• 6.4 Structural composite lumber

7: Glue-laminated timber (Glulam)

• Abstract
• Acknowledgements
• 7.1 Introduction
• 7.2 Manufacturing glulam
• 7.3 Adhesives
• 7.4 Connections
• 7.5 Reinforced glulam
• 7.6 Recent research and technologies
• 7.7 Sources of further information and advice

8: Cross laminated timber

• Abstract
• 8.1 Introduction
• 8.2 CLT and the production process
• 8.3 Materials for CLT
• 8.4 Mechanical characteristics of CLT
• 8.5 Jointing CLT
• 8.6 Case studies
• 8.7 Future trends
• 8.8 Further information

9: Composite section I-beams

• Abstract
• 9.1 Introduction
• 9.2 Engineering principles
• 9.3 Engineered products used in the manufacture of I-beams
• 9.4 I-beams in buildings
• 9.5 Examples of the use of I-beams

10: Wood polymer composites

• Abstract
• 10.1 Introduction
• 10.2 Fibres and fillers
• 10.3 Polymer matrices and processing
• 10.4 Wood fibre–polymer interfaces and dispersion
• 10.5 Additives for WPC compounding
• 10.6 Mechanical properties and other useful data
• 10.7 The global picture: Market trends by region
• 10.8 Labelling and testing for product quality and sustainability
• 10.9 Conclusions and future outlook

Part Three: Advances in wood composites

11: Preservation, protection and modification of wood composites

• Abstract
• 11.1 Introduction
• 11.2 Working with natural materials – Decay, moisture and weather
• 11.3 Decay and degradation of wood and wood-based composites
• 11.4 Water, degradation and weathering
• 11.5 Protecting wood-based panels and structural composites from weathering
• 11.6 Wood modification
• 11.7 Protecting wood
• 11.8 Treating wood-based composites
• 11.9 Combustion and fire retardancy
• 11.10 Conclusion

12: Environmental impacts of wood composites and legislative obligations

• Abstract
• 12.1 Introduction
• 12.2 The forest resource and extraction and transport of timber
• 12.3 Life cycle assessment (LCA) of wood composites
• 12.4 Comparing wood composites with other construction materials
• 12.5 The role of the built environment as a carbon store
• 12.6 Wood waste and recycling of wood composites
• 12.7 VOC emissions and wood composites
• 12.8 Legislation
• 12.9 Future trends
• 12.10 Conclusions
• 12.11 Further information

13: Nanocomposite coatings and plasma treatments for wood-based products

• Abstract
• 13.1 Introduction
• 13.2 Coating technologies
• 13.3 Plasma treatments
• 13.4 Wood protection by plasma-assisted thin layer deposition
• 13.5 Conclusion

14: Biomimetic composite materials inspired by wood

• Abstract
• 14.1 Introduction
• 14.2 Hierarchy, structure and the principles of biomimetic design
• 14.3 Biomimetic functionalisation of natural fibres
• 14.4 Genetic engineering
• 14.5 Biomimetic systems of motion based on plants
• 14.6 Biomimetic timber architecture
• 14.7 Conclusions

15: Carbonised and mineralised wood composites

• Abstract
• 15.1 Introduction to wood charcoal
• 15.2 Introduction to mineralised wood
• 15.3 Carbon–carbon woodceramics
• 15.4 Silicon carbide woodceramics
• 15.5 Titanium nitride and titanium carbide woodceramics
• 15.6 Carbon/aluminium composites
• 15.7 Conclusions

16: Hybrid wood composites – integration of wood with other engineering materials

• Abstract
• 16.1 Hybrid wood composites in transport
• 16.2 Wind turbine and propeller blades
• 16.3 Rotor blades
• 16.4 Hybrid wood composites in sport
• 16.5 Hybrid wood composite beams
• 16.6 Hybrid wood composites in construction
• 16.7 Conclusions