Engineered Composite Sciences

FS-FPL-4706

Three-Dimensional Engineered Fiberboard:

Creating New Possibilities for Sustainable Forest Products

| Abstract | Publications | Brochure on Emergency Temporary Housing |

A new structural biocomposite product developed by researchers at the USDA Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) can add value to low-value biomass to help mitigate costs associated with fuel reduction treatments, invasive species management and enhance the sustainability of renewable resources.

Called Three-Dimensional Engineered Fiberboard (3DEF), this innovative product consists of corrugated composite material sandwiched between flat faces creating a strong, versatile three-layer structure. Virtually any unwanted or low-value bioresource, such as hazardous-fuel removals, logging slash, recycled paper and corrugated paperboard, agricultural residues or waste sludge from paper mills, could be used to manufacture 3DEF.

Through engineering, 3DEF provides optimum performance for the designed use with minimum weight by strategically shaping the corrugated fiberboard core to be stronger in areas carrying higher loads while minimizing fiber from low-load areas of the finished product.

This technology may have major impacts in the $200 billion per year residential construction market as prefabricated wall, floor or roof systems, and as cement forms and sound partitions in the non-residential construction market. It may also have significant potential in other high-value-added consumer-specialty products such as desks, caskets, shelves, tables, doors, and in high-volume commodity products such as pallets, bulk bins, heavy-duty boxes, shipping containers, packaging supports, and wire reels.

“If we know the fundamental properties of the fiber, we can engineer 3DEF for almost any use,” said John Hunt, research engineer at FPL. “Up to now, we have had limited or no information producing products based on the fiber properties. With material property data and improved processing information, it is now possible to bring this concept to commercial reality.”

The goal of FPL is to move 3DEF research forward through partnerships. Research partners will help expand the number of potential uses of 3DEF, while industry partners will begin transferring the technology to manufacturing.

Partners: US Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory (FPL)--Lead

Applicable Strategic Goals: Wildland Fire, Invasive Species, Renewable Resource Management and Use