Chapter 11: Wood-based composite materials: panel products, glued laminated timber, structural composite lumber, and wood–nonwood composites

Abstract

Because wood properties vary among species, between trees of the same species, and between pieces from the same tree, solid wood cannot match reconstituted wood in the range of properties that can be controlled. Wood with localized defects (such as knots) can often be utilized effectively in wood-based composites. When wood with defects is reduced to wood elements, the influence of these characteristics in the manufactured product is reduced. To reinforce sustainable harvesting efforts, wood derived from small-diameter timber, forest residues, or exotic and invasive species may also be used in wood-based composites. Wood-based composite materials can be made up of various wood elements, including fibers, particles, flakes, veneers, or laminates. Properties of such materials can be changed by combining, reorganizing, or stratifying these elements. When raw material selection is paired with properly selected processing variables, the end result can surpass nature’s best effort.

Parent Publication

• Wood handbook: Wood as an engineering material

Citation

Stark, N.M.; Cai, Z. 2021. Chapter 11: Wood-based composite materials: panel products, glued laminated timber, structural composite lumber, and wood–nonwood composites. In: Wood handbook—wood as an engineering material. General Technical Report FPL-GTR-282. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. 29 pp.