Researchers develop 3D printing material for wooden objects from wood waste products

A joint team of materials scientists from Rice University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory has developed a method to convert wood waste into a type of ink that can be used to 3D print wood-like objects. The work was published in the journal Science Advances.

The method involves first crushing wood material into a fine dust and then treating it with chemicals that separate cellulose and lignin. These are broken down into nanocrystals and nanofibers and then recomposed with water into a clay-like mixture that serves as ink in a 3D printer.

The researchers then tested the material by printing small objects such as miniature tables and chairs. The products were then freeze-dried to remove moisture and heated at 180°C to fuse cellulose and lignin. The result is objects that have wood or wood-like properties.

In addition, by adjusting the printing process, the researchers were able to create wood-like textures in the objects, which also have the smell of natural wood. Tests showed that the printed objects can be up to six times more durable than those made from original wood, although the tests were limited to balsa wood. In addition, the printed objects were up to three times as flexible as comparable objects made from the original material, i.e. ordinary wood.

Although the method has so far only been tested on small objects, the researchers suggest that the process could also be suitable for the production of much larger objects, including furniture or even houses. The method now presented could fundamentally change the way wood waste and wood products are traded, helping to use resources more efficiently and reduce the environmental impact of wood processing.