Basque Enterprise Europe Network

Title

German research institute seeks partners to find new applications or optimise the process for their special formed tubes from densified wood

Reference

TODE20171012002

Last update

Thu, Nov, 09, 2017

Deadline

Sat, Nov, 03, 2018

Abstract

A German institute active in materials research developed a solution to form wood pallets into pipes which, compared to solid wood components, have advantages in load bearing capacity and material efficiency. The process is based on thermo- and hygromechanical compaction of wood. By coating the tubes with technical textiles more favourable effects result. They seek for technical cooperation to develop new applications/ optimise the process in terms of technical or research cooperation agreement.

Description

The research at the German institute for timber engineering is focused on innovative applications of constructions made of the building and construction material wood. As a part of the regional university it is doing its research in close cooperation with research institutions and business enterprises from the fields of timber and wood processing, mechanical engineering as well as the textile and composite industries.

The innovative and patented solution approaches to prevent high quantities of wood residues by using residual wood of natural forestry.

About the process:

The manufacture of pipes or other developable moulds requires the provision of special plates made of densified wood. Various substeps are necessary for their production, in which wood humidity, temperature and forming pressure must match with one another. In the first step, small-format transverse sections will be compressed across to the fibre direction in a heating press by pressures of 5 to 10 MPa.

Thereby, the cell walls will be folded at a low-loss and reversible level. Subsequently, the approximately 2 to 4 centimetre thick bars are glued to plates. Therefore, wide and positive experiences with polyurethane and resorcinol resins exist. In the next step, the plates are treated with heat and moisture. This takes place in a steam chamber at about 90° C, followed by the formation of the plate to the tube and the gluing of the final joint.

In the process, the folding of the densified wood cells is completely or partially cancelled out and used as a deformation potential. The finished tube remains fixed until it cools down.

Now it is possible to coat it with an outer strengthening layer in form of technical textiles, such as glass fibres, carbon fibres or aramid fibres, e.g., in the form of woven fabrics. So far, glues have been used based on epoxy resin, polyester and polyurethane. In principle, sheathing with natural fibres is possible as well.

Up to now, moulded wood tubes are used as load-carrying components. Now partners from industry and/ or research are sought to develop jointly new applications and/ or optimise the manufacturing process of plates, pipes and further profiles in terms of a research cooperation agreement or a technical cooperation agreement.

Technology Keywords

Building Materials, Components and Methods;Building materials;Composite materials;Lightweight materials;Biobased materials

Keyword Codes:

002006001;02007002;02007005;02007019;02007020

Current Stage of Development

Intellectual Property Rights

Patents granted

IPR Comments:

The patent includes the manufacture of the tubes as well as the pipe itself. In addition, a second patent for producing double-curved mould shells exists. The patents are granted for Europe, Switzerland, USA and Japan.

Exploitation of RTD Results

Organisation/Company Type

Organisation/Company Size

Organisation Comments

Detailed Market Application Codes (VEIC)

MA Keyword

Manufacture of building materials

MA Keyword Codes:

009007002

Application Domain Description:

Collaboration Type

Comments:

Investors, research institutions and industrial enterprises are being sought as partners in the fields of construction, architecture, mechanical engineering, forestry. Partners with expertise in lightweight construction, ecological construction, composite structures, and/ or wood recycling are highly welcome.

It is expected that partners contribute its ideas and experiences for the shaping of wood and supplements according:
- Optimisation and automation of the production process of plates, pipes or other profiles
- Development of composite components and joining techniques
- Development of new applications

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