Adhesive bonding of wood plays an increasing role in the forest products industry and is a key factor for efficiently utilizing our timber resources. The main use of adhesives is in the manufacture of building materials, including plywood, oriented strandboard (OSB), particleboard, fiberboard, structural composite lumber, doors, windows and frames, and factory-laminated wood products.

 

Adhesives are also used in the assembly of furniture and cabinets, manufacture of engineered wood products, and construction of residential and commercial structures. Adhesives transfer and distribute loads between components, thereby increasing the strength and stiffness of wood products. This course introduces the student to the basic concepts and practices needed to use adhesive to bond wood.

 

The ability to assemble larger products out of smaller pieces or particles directly affects the efficiency of wood product. Assembly relies directly on adhesives and bonding. This course introduces the basic concepts of wood bonding and adhesives, including known best practices and chemical and physical behavior of woods and adhesives.