Scientists have developed toughened wood materials, when sharpened, are three times sharper than a stainless steel dinner knife, according to the new study of the work. This study came from the University of Maryland’s Teng Li and the team developed a new method to produce very hard wood. Among other things, development can cause more sustainable building materials.
Wood contains cellulose 40 and 50 percent, with the rest of the material compromised by a binder called lignin and hemicellulose. While cellulose has a greater power-to-density ratio than materials such as metal and ceramics, binder materials make wood as a whole weaker than man-made colleagues.
The new study involved disarming weaker binding materials while leaving cellulose untouched. This process involves first eliminating lignin, which produces what the researchers say is a slippery and soft material. That lignin-free wood then experiences heat and pressure through the heat press to remove water and increase density. Simple layers of mineral oil are then applied to increase timber life.
The result is a very hard wood that can be used for things like a safe dishwasher knife and even nails that can be pounded through the board without damage. In addition to offering a more sustainable alternative, environmentally friendly for man-made materials such as stainless steel, there are also benefits such as lack of possible rust worries, for example, reducing the longevity of outdoor buildings made with metal nails.
Researchers say additional research on toughened timber products is needed to confirm whether this processing method reduces environmental impact compared to man-made materials. However, the material delays the promise for wood-based items that are more durable, including wood floors that hold better towards wear and everyday items such as cutting boards that are more durable.