Conventional Wood Composites and Their Contemporary Applications

Due to the growing economical and environmental concern, wood-based materials have become a
common substitute for the forest products industry. However, these natural sources are preferred to
cost efficient and to increase mechanical performances. In this regards, these materials offer great
promise and many challenges as replacement for wood in construction and furniture industry. In a
synthetic resin bonded matrices, wood is incorporated as an aggregate in the matrix (as fibres,
sawdust, shavings or particles) and adhesive acts as a binder. These are employed due to their ease
of production, and the enhanced strength, leading to applications for sustainable purposes in many
applications. Fiber boards for example, offers desirable mechanical attributes for replacement of wood
in many places. The weathering effects of wood-based composites represent the major obstacle
against development of materials for outdoor conditions. But, thanks to new adhesive technologies
involving bonding reactions were successfully employed to produce board products incorporating
outdoors. Comprehensive mechanical, durability and physical tests confirmed the high potential of
wood-based panel products as a versatile building product capable of meeting the requirements in
demanding applications. The vast of literature on wood-based composites has already been reviewed
and pointed by a number of researchers. Many valuable fundamental informations have already
established. Some of the important issues for common wood-based composites has sumamarized in
this study.