Cheap wood based composite 2x stronger than carbon fiber equivalent

The Forest Products Laboratory of the US Forest Service has opened a US$1.7 million pilot plant for the production of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) from wood by-products materials such as wood chips and sawdust. Prepared properly, CNCs are stronger and stiffer than Kevlar or carbon fibers, so that putting CNC into composite materials results in high strength, low weight products. In addition, the cost of CNCs is less than ten percent of the cost of Kevlar fiber or carbon fiber. These qualities have attracted the interest of the military for use in lightweight armor and ballistic glass (CNCs are transparent), as well as companies in the automotive, aerospace, electronics, consumer products, and medical industries.

• Material...........................Elastic Modulus................Tensile Strength
• CNC......................................150 GPa.............................7.5 GPa
• Kevlar 49..............................125 GPa.............................3.5 GPa
• Carbon fiber.........................150 GPa.............................3.5 GPa
• Carbon nanotubes..............300 GPa............................20 GPa
• Stainless steel.....................200 GPa............................0.5 GPa
• Oak..........................................10 GPa.............................0.1 GPa

Source: gizmag.comAdded: 5 September 2012