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Wood, the Supermaterial That No Modern Alloy Has Managed to Beat
As a plant product, wood is primarily defined as a natural composite material. A composite material is one in which two or more components assume different functions to withstand the forces it is subjected to. In the case of wood, the first component is cellulose fibers, the second is hemicellulose, and the third is lignin. Lignin is a class of organic polymers derived from three cross-linked alcohols: coniferyl alcohol, sinapyl alcohol, and p-coumaryl alcohol.
In the synthetic world, one of the most common composites is reinforced concrete, where metal rods serve the function of cellulose and hemicellulose, and cement is the matrix that supports compression, as is the case with lignin.
The structure of wood gives it enormous strength, which is one of the reasons it has been used in construction and for railway ties. It is both a solid material and very lightweight. It is highly resistant to compression, which allows for wooden columns that support heavy weights, and it is also extraordinarily durable. Many medieval cathedrals still have roofs built with wood from the 12th or 13th centuries that continue to hold up without issue. It absorbs and releases water depending on its environment, like a natural dehumidifier, and even when burned, wood maintains a certain structural integrity that metals and plastics lack under heat. An additional advantage is its excellent insulating capacity, making it still the preferred material for building in extreme climates.
Wood is also an ecological, renewable, 100% recyclable, sustainable material and—as an added feature that is not negligible for many applications—it is beautiful. Its texture, aroma, grain, knots, and rings are highly attractive and aesthetically pleasing to human taste.
This is why we are now beginning to see products like wood-fiber-enriched polymers in car bodies, robots with bamboo arms that move more fluidly, or computer casings for countries with humid environments. Today, chemistry uses wood to produce optical and electronic films, in addition to exploring its use in bioplastic production.
To read more about this supermaterial that is wood, click on the source.
Source:elcorreo.com
