Difference between revisions of "Superwood"
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By boiling the wood in a solution of [[Sodium Hydroxide]] (NaOH) and [[Sodium Sulphite]] (Na<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>3</sub>) most of the hemicellulose and Lignen is removed leaving the Cellulose fibers. The cellulose is then compressed and heated. The Cellulose fibres collapse, and chemically bind together. | By boiling the wood in a solution of [[Sodium Hydroxide]] (NaOH) and [[Sodium Sulphite]] (Na<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>3</sub>) most of the hemicellulose and Lignen is removed leaving the Cellulose fibers. The cellulose is then compressed and heated. The Cellulose fibres collapse, and chemically bind together. | ||
| − | + | ==Properties== | |
This forms a hard, steel like substance with the following properties: | This forms a hard, steel like substance with the following properties: | ||
* 10 times more resistant to tearing than wood. | * 10 times more resistant to tearing than wood. | ||
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* it is a thermal insulator (tho not as good as natural wood). | * it is a thermal insulator (tho not as good as natural wood). | ||
| − | + | ==Uses== | |
It can be used anywhere steel can be used. It can also: | It can be used anywhere steel can be used. It can also: | ||
* Make ultra strong fibers. | * Make ultra strong fibers. | ||
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If martian farms grew hemp, hemp can have from 53 to 90% cellulose, so this would be an ideal raw material for this industrial process. | If martian farms grew hemp, hemp can have from 53 to 90% cellulose, so this would be an ideal raw material for this industrial process. | ||
| − | + | ==References== | |
https://www.nature.com/articles/nature25476 | https://www.nature.com/articles/nature25476 | ||
https://newatlas.com/materials/superwood-stronger-steel-inventwood/ | https://newatlas.com/materials/superwood-stronger-steel-inventwood/ | ||
Revision as of 00:00, 26 May 2025
Superwood is a strong building material we can make on Mars.
Wood is made up of 40 to 50% of Cellulose fibers, with hemicellulose (20 to 30%) and lignen (15 to 30%) holding it together, with 1 to 5% other stuff.
By boiling the wood in a solution of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) and Sodium Sulphite (Na2SO3) most of the hemicellulose and Lignen is removed leaving the Cellulose fibers. The cellulose is then compressed and heated. The Cellulose fibres collapse, and chemically bind together.
Properties
This forms a hard, steel like substance with the following properties:
- 10 times more resistant to tearing than wood.
- 50 times more resistant to compression than wood.
- 20 times more stiff than wood.
- Twice as strong a steel.
- 5 time lighter than steel.
- half the price to manufacture than steel.
- can be molded, like liquid metals, but at far lower temperatures.
- better at absorbing neutron radiation than steel.
- it is a thermal insulator (tho not as good as natural wood).
Uses
It can be used anywhere steel can be used. It can also:
- Make ultra strong fibers.
- Wood honey comb structural material.
- Insulating nano-wood.
- Radiative cooling wood.
- Wood aerogel.
- Transparent Wood. (Martian windows might be easier to build out of this than glass.)
- Translucent wood.
- Clear nano-paper.
It has a class A fire-rating. (Like stone, ceramic, or brick.) When exposed to fire, it gains surface char but does not burn.
If martian farms grew hemp, hemp can have from 53 to 90% cellulose, so this would be an ideal raw material for this industrial process.
References
https://www.nature.com/articles/nature25476 https://newatlas.com/materials/superwood-stronger-steel-inventwood/
