Wood fibre

Wood fibres (also spelled wood fibers, see spelling differences) are usually cellulosic elements that are extracted from trees and used to make materials including paper.

The end paper product (paper, paperboard, tissue, cardboard, etc.) dictates the species, or species blend, that is best suited to provide the desirable sheet characteristics, and also dictates the required fibre processing (chemical treatment, heat treatment, mechanical "brushing" or refining, etc.).

In North America, virgin (non-recycled) wood fibre is primarily extracted from hardwood (deciduous) trees and softwood (coniferous) trees. The wood fibre can be extracted as a primary product, or collected during the milling of lumber.[1] Wood fibres can also be recycled from used paper materials.[2]

Paper

Wood fibres are treated by combining them with other additives which break down the fibres into a spongy mass called pulp. The pulp is then processed, and the network of tiny fibres is pressed flat, becoming paper.

Construction material

Wood fibres can be pressed into hard, flat panels which can be used as a less expensive alternative to wood or plywood in situations not requiring structural strength.[3]

Hydroculture

Wood fibres can be used as a substrate in hydroponics. Wood wool (i.e. wood slivers) have been a substrate of choice since the earliest days of the hydroponics research.[4] However, more recent research suggests that wood fibre can have detrimental effects on "plant growth regulators".[5]

Composites

Wood fibres can be combined with thermoplastics to create strong, waterproof products for outdoor use, such as deck boards or outdoor furniture.[6]

See also

• Hemp paper
• Pulp (paper)
• Woodfibre, British Columbia
• Wood flour, a form of wood fibre

References

1. Philip Joseph Burton (2003). Towards Sustainable Management of the Boreal Forest. NRC Research Press. pp. 759–. ISBN 978-0-660-18762-4.
2. Pratima Bajpai (21 November 2013). Recycling and Deinking of Recovered Paper. Elsevier Science. pp. 8–. ISBN 978-0-12-417169-5.
3. Sustainable Building - Design Manual: sustainable building design practices. The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). 1 January 2004. pp. 104–. ISBN 978-81-7993-053-3.
4. Gericke, William F. (1940). The Complete Guide to Soilless Gardening (1st ed.). London: Putnam. pp. 38& 84. ISBN 9781163140499.
5. Wallheimer, Brian (October 25, 2010). "Rice hulls a sustainable drainage option for greenhouse growers". Purdue University. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
6. Caroline Baillie (8 March 2005). Green Composites: Polymer Composites and the Environment. CRC Press. pp. 94–. ISBN 978-0-8493-2576-2.