Composite wood has been high in demand because of its durability and beautiful appearance. However, In this article we will see how composite wood is created and how it is used.
What is composite wood?
Composite wood is made by joining wood strands, fibers or boards. When composed of thermoplastics and wood fibers, it is sometimes referred to as wood-plastic composite (WPC), produced board, or engineered wood. Composite products are created from plant-based fibers employing lignin-rich materials including hemp stalks, sugar cane waste, rye, and wheat straw. By adding chemicals it is possible to combine polymer and wood flour.
How is composite wood made?
The same hardwoods and softwoods that are used to make lumber are often utilized to make wood composite, however instead of employing sawmill scraps and wood waste, it is formed by combining crushed wood particles with heated thermoplastic resin. Others manufacture the finished product using a one-step mixing and extrusion process, while some combine and process the elements to make pellets that are then re-melted and moulded into the final shape.
Thermoplastics can be either virgin or recycled, with polyethylene-based goods being the most popular. To develop a product precisely suited to its purpose, additional ingredients like as UV stabilizers, colorants, coupling agents, and lubricants can be added. Both solid and hollow forms can then be produced.
Types of wood composite
There are two types of composite wood
plywood
As the first composite wood product, plywood is made from sheets of cross-laminated veneer that are heated and joined with moisture-resistant adhesives. Another is fiberboard, which is created by pressing wood chips or sawdust with synthetic resin under high pressure and temperature. Meanwhile, particleboard is created by pressing wood chips or sawdust with wax and a resin binder.
Oriented strand board
Wood strands are organized in layers and joined together with moisture-resistant adhesives to create oriented strand boards. To provide the panel strength and rigidity, they are then cross-oriented. While laminated veneers combine thin wooden veneers into a huge billet that may be used for rafters, beams, columns, and joints, laminated timber is made by joining dimensional timber into structural columns or beams.
Use of wood composites
Composite wood products are frequently utilized to substitute steel for joists and beams in construction projects. They may be used in a range of applications, including both residential and commercial construction. However, they are most frequently used for outdoor deck flooring. They are also widely used for railings, fences, benches, window and door frames, cladding, and landscaping projects. Due to its low production costs and lightweight characteristics, composite wood is also a preferred material for flat-pack furniture even though it may be used in most situations that would typically employ solid wood.
Difference between wood and composite
Wood
One of the most popular building materials is wood. There are several varieties of wood, and each has advantages and disadvantages. It is used for a wide range of purposes in building, including the creation of beams, posts, fences, flooring, hardscaping, and landscaping, to mention a few. Due to its durability, affordability, and availability, wood is still widely used today.
Composite
Composite is also called a plastic wood, which means there is a layer of plastic on wood. It’s a relatively new idea that got its beginnings in the early 1990s. But thanks to all of its benefits, it swiftly became well-liked. You can use it in replacement of wood in buildings, and vice versa. The creation of composite decking materials is the most common use of plastic-wood.
Conclusion
Composite wood is the finest alternative to natural wood. It gives a whole vibe of wood and it is flexible and flexible to be adapted to specific needs. However the future is promising as the manufacturing technology behind them continues to progress.