Reference: 07054-01
The Technology
Researchers at the University of Tennessee have engineered high quality composite wood materials by incorporating the use of novel adhesives into the manufacturing processes. This innovation improves wood adhesive composition for various wood composite products, for example, oriented strand board (OSB), particleboard, fiberboard. The main principle of the invention is using nano- and micro- fillers to reinforce non-continuous glue, with the capability for formaldehyde free adhesive formulation. The result is a low cost, lighter wood panel board, commonly used on the outside of residential housing, which can be competitively marketed alongside high quality products, currently sold at a higher price.
The source of “oriented strand board” is high quality older yellow pine. The availability of this resource is dwindling resulting in higher demand which causes the cost to rise. This novel additive enables the producer to make use of lower quality hardwood and the resulting product displays enhanced performance.
• Manufacturers produce lighter panel products. This saves raw material costs, increases transport efficiency and confers easier handling during building.
Benefits:
• Reduces manufacturing costs without compromising performance.
• Wood composite products exhibit increase in internal bonding strength, modulus of elasticity, and modulus of rupture.
Cured glue line
The Inventor
Dr. Siqun Wang received his Masters and PhD from the Nanjing Forestry University. He is currently a part of the Tennessee Forest Products Center as an Associate Professor and has held the distinguished posts of Deputy Director of the Wood-based Panel Section, Institute, and Laboratory throughout his career. His research interests include the manufacture and performance of wood-based composites, natural fiber-reinforced plastic composites, bionanocomposites, nano-mechanics, and wood adhesion.
Patents
• Patents pending.
Potential Licensees
• Wood composite manufacturers.
• Adhesive and nano material manufacturers.
• Cellulose material manufacturers.