Additive Manufacturing of 3D Structures Composed of Wood Materials

Abstract

Abstract3D objects composed of 100% wood components are 3D printed utilizing wood flour microparticles dispersed in a matrix composed of cellulose nanocrystals and xyloglucan. In the printed object, a wood waste product is “glued” with extracted wood products, to be a substitute for pristine wood. 3D printing is used to maximize conversion of low value materials into final products that exhibit visual, textural, and physical properties of natural timber. Several 3D printing technologies are applied to achieve a wide range of densities, mechanical properties, colors, and morphologies as well as high thermal insulation. Furthermore, the 3D printing process enables predesigning of fiber layout in the printed wood, which enables control of shrinkage orientation.

Tailoring renewable materials via plant biotechnology

“…On the application side, inclusion of XyG into cellulose nanocomposites has demonstrated synergistic performance when blended at certain ratios [ 99 ]. XyG has also recently been used in 3D printing of biobased polymer blends [ 100 ]. With the interest across the scientific community in nanocellulose materials, it is clear that XyG will have an increased role in material development, where aqueous-based modification of cellulose will help create advanced materials without the need for malignant organic solvent processing [ 100 ].…”

Control or Affect? The Paradox of 3D‐Printed Wood

“…18 Thermally, homogeneously printed WPC exhibits a low conductivity (0.05-0.085 W mK -1 )-between one-third and one-half that of engineered products like medium-density fiberboard (MDF) or beech plywood-giving it better insulating performance. 19 In another approach to increase conductivity, carbon nanotubes have been combined with printing feedstocks to create an electrically conductive wood material. 20 It should be noted that the water absorption of 3D-printed WPC varies with the printing layer thickness, which also determines the amount of swelling.…”

Searching for biological feedstock material: 3D printing of wood particles from house borer and drywood termite frass

“…In the present work the powdery material which remains when house borer larvae or drywood termites feed on wood, the so called frass, is used as a novel feedstock. 3D printing of wood chops [10][11][12][13][14] or plastic-wood composites has already been proven to be a feasible way for obtaining objects with wooden haptics. Dedicated feedstocks have been processed from wood and have been adapted to the respective printing process by refining it with polymeric additives [15][16][17][18].…”