WOODLIFE

Extended service-life and improved properties of wood products through the use of functional nanoparticles in clear coating and adhesive systems

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The long term objective of the WOODLIFE project is to provide coated and glued wood products with substantially improved durability for a more sustainable society. The project aims to develop new water-based clear coating systems for wood with improved UV-absorbing properties, and to develop new water-based thermoplastic wood adhesives with improved mechanical properties. The new coating and adhesive systems will be designed through molecular manufacturing of inorganic nanoparticles, nanoclays and composite organic-inorganic binders with predictable and controllable properties. Wood is an excellent building material with a high strength/density ratio and it is a renewable resource. For outdoor use it is, however, necessary to enhance the durability of wood materials due to the high sensitivity for UV degradation. Traditionally, organic UV-absorbers are used in clear coatings for wood, however these substances degrade upon outdoor weathering. New UV-absorbing systems for clear coats will be developed in the project based on nanoparticles of CeO2, ZnO and TiO2. With these new systems the service-life of the coated wood will be extended and the cost for maintenance and wood replacement will be decreased. If the mechanical properties of water-based thermoplastic wood adhesives such as PVAc can be improved it would be possible to use the wood products based on these systems for a longer time, leading to a more sustainable society. It would also be possible to use PVAc adhesives instead of the more expensive MUF/PRF adhesives in some load-bearing applications. Engineered nanoparticles will be developed in the project and will be introduced into wood adhesives in order to improve the properties of wood-adhesive joints. The nanoparticles and nanoclays that will be developed in the project will either be added directly to water-based systems or incorporated in hybrid binders in order to improve the dispersion of the nanoparticles and to improve storage stability.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Wood has the potential to be a sustainable and competitive engineering material. Novel nano-based coatings and adhesives will enhance durability in outdoor applications while reducing maintenance and repair costs.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Wood is a renewable resource with a high strength - to - weight ratio and it can be produced in vast quantities. Scientists developed advanced eco-friendly water-based materials to enhance the service life of wood products with EU support of the project http://www.woodlifeproject.com (WOODLIFE) . The team engineered transparent coating systems and wood adhesives to improve ultraviolet protection and mechanical properties, respectively.

The formulations exploited molecular manufacturing of inorganic nanoparticles, nanoclays and composite organic - inorganic binders. Scientist designed the nanoparticles for absorption in the ultraviolet range, homogeneous dispersion in water-based formulations and transparency in visible light.Coatings were created with outdoor wood panels and window frames in mind. Oxide nanoparticles incorporated directly into the coatings or encapsulated in acrylic latex binders showed promising performance in field tests.

Polyvinyl acetate is a rubbery synthetic polymer which, as a water-based emulsion, is the most commonly used wood adhesive on the market. Scientists modified the formulation with colloidal silica and nanoclays to enhance durability when used for load-bearing beams. The systems passed important standardised tests of performance at elevated temperatures and demonstrated improved heat and moisture resistance.

Sustainability assessments demonstrated that both the coated wooden window frames and the wooden beams offer important environmental benefits compared to conventional systems. The coatings have a very low formaldehyde content and use of wood as a substitute for other building materials reduces carbon dioxide emissions significantly. Project outcomes have led to two patent applications.

WOODLIFE coated wood panels have a predicted service life that is two to five times longer than that of reference systems. Aside from commercialisation of the final products, production of water-borne and solvent-borne nanoparticles that can be used in ultraviolet protection has numerous potential opportunities. Marketing to the cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and plastics sectors could enhance the market position of partner companies. WOODLIFE outcomes are thus expected to have important benefits for partner companies, global environmental health and the economic well-being of the wood-working, coating and adhesive industries.