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Dense bulletproof tree

15.03.2018

Scientists from the University of Maryland have developed a technology for making heavy-duty wood, which can now be used in places where heavier metals and alloys have traditionally been used and are now being used. Moreover, the process of creating such heavy-duty wood is quite simple, it consists in pre-treatment of a wooden blank in a solution of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfate at the boiling point of water. These chemicals remove lignin and hemicellulose from wood, substances that are the basis of its structure and give wood its strength. After such a chemical treatment, the wooden block is compressed between two plates heated to 100 degrees Celsius at a pressure of 5 megapascals, which is 50 times higher than normal atmospheric pressure.

As a result of the sequence of such processing, the volume of the tree is reduced by 20 percent relative to its original volume, and the density of the resulting material is three times higher than the original density. And, thanks to this, the processed dense wood acquires completely new physical properties. It withstands 11.5 times greater mechanical stress, which puts it on par with steel in terms of strength, but treated wood, at the same time, is significantly lighter than steel. As an example of the properties acquired by densified wood, the researchers fired steel balls at it with airguns. And if these balls passed through the untreated wood, then they either bounced off the board of the compacted wood or got stuck in this board.

The chemicals used to make compacted wood are not a significant environmental concern. At the same time, almost any type of wood is subjected to the compaction process, ranging from the most dense and heavy varieties to lightweight and less dense varieties.

Researchers believe that the new material can become an alternative to the use of steel where environmental cleanliness of buildings and structures being built is required, for example. In addition, certain vehicle components can be made from the new wood material, which will thereby become somewhat lighter and consume less fuel or energy.

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