Fabrication and Design of Wood-Based High-Performance Composites

Frey, Marion; Zirkelbach, Meri; Dransfeld, C.A.; Faude, Eric; Trachsel, Etienne; Hannus, Mikael; Burgert, Ingo; Keplinger, Tobias

doi:10.3791/60327

Fabrication and Design of Wood-Based High-Performance Composites

Title

Fabrication and Design of Wood-Based High-Performance Composites

Author

Frey, Marion (ETH Zürich; Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa))
Zirkelbach, Meri (Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts)
Dransfeld, C.A. (TU Delft Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies)
Faude, Eric (ETH Zürich)
Trachsel, Etienne (ETH Zürich)
Hannus, Mikael (Stora Enso Oyj)
Burgert, Ingo (ETH Zürich; Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa))
Keplinger, Tobias (ETH Zürich; Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa))

Date

2019

Abstract

Delignified densified wood is a new promising and sustainable material that possesses the potential to replace synthetic materials, such as glass fiber reinforced composites, due to its excellent mechanical properties. Delignified wood, however, is rather fragile in a wet state, which makes handling and shaping challenging. Here we present two fabrication processes, closed-mold densification and vacuum densification, to produce high-performance cellulose composites based on delignified wood, including an assessment of their advantages and limitations. Further, we suggest strategies for how the composites can be re-used or decomposed at the end-of-life cycle. Closed-mold densification has the advantage that no elaborate lab equipment is needed. Simple screw clamps or a press can be used for densification. We recommend this method for small parts with simple geometries and large radii of curvature. Vacuum densification in an open-mold process is suitable for larger objects and complex geometries, including small radii of curvature. Compared to the closed-mold process, the open-mold vacuum approach only needs the manufacture of a single mold cavity.

Subject

Bio-based
Cellulose scaffold
Delignified densified wood
Design
Engineering
Issue 153
Natural fiber composite
Recyclable
Vacuum forming
Wet shaping