Wood Uses

The Wood, material known to be the main structure of tree trunks and branchesIt has both aesthetic and functional properties that make it a raw material for many of human activities.

It is essential to know its chemical constitution to understand the uses for which it is intended. His main component is a biological polymer called Cellulose, made up of many glucose units.

Cellulose, Wood Raw Material

Cellulose is a Carbohydrate, classified as Polysaccharide. When decomposed, it results in many Monosaccharide molecules.

Other classifications in which Cellulose is found are based on two criteria:

1.-By giving Glucose when decomposed, it is classified as a Glucosan. Starch, Dextrin and Glycogen also fit into this category, as they break down into Glucose.

2.-Because Glucose is a Hexose, that is, it is made up of six carbons, Cellulose is classified as a Hexosanne.

Cellulose is found in the woody parts of plants, determining the structure of these, analogously to the proteins that determine the structure of animals. It is the most abundant and industrially important Carbon Hydrate.

The structure of cellulose is analogous to that of starch in that it is made up of glucose units, but differs from it because cellulose is a β-glucoside and Furthermore, because its chain of glucose units (100 to 2000) is linear (a simple chain or several chains joined in parallel) while that of starch is branched.

Cellulose is insoluble in water, dilute acids and alkalis, hydrolyzing in concentrated acids in d-glucose. Dissolves in Ammoniacal Solution of Cupric Hydroxide Cu (OH)₂ (Schweitzer's reagent) and in Zinc chloride ZnCl solution₂ in Hydrochloric Acid HCl (Cross and Bevan's Reagent).

When treated with concentrated sulfuric acid H₂SW₄ It transforms in Amyloid, which gives blue color with iodine; the paper becomes parchment.

The Cellulose has no nutritional value for man, because there are no enzymes in the intestine that can hydrolyze it, although its presence in food is important to give body to feces.

Herbivorous animals assimilate it indirectly since cellulose decomposes when passing through the digestive tract through the action of microorganisms. Certain insects, such as termites contain an enzyme, cellulase, capable of hydrolyzing cellulose, so it can be used as food.

Hydrolyzed cellulose is used in Fermentation industry to obtain alcohol and as livestock feed.

Cellulose is of enormous importance, since it fundamentally constitutes the vegetable fibers of the cotton, linen, hemp, etc., and paper, obtained in turn from cotton or linen rags or from wood.

When the cotton fiber (the fabric) is treated with alkalis, Mercerized Cotton is obtained, in which the fiber is stronger, more easily dyed and has a silky appearance. The main industrial derivatives of cellulose are paper, nitrocelluloses and artificial silk.

Wood as a Material

Wood, freshly cut or extracted from some plant species, works mainly as Fuel. Branches, split trunks, bark are gathered to place it in a pyramid configuration, and thus make them burn to emit an amount of heat that comforts the users.

The Wood to be used as Fuel must be as dry as possible, since the presence of humidity in it will interfere with good combustion.

Wood is the main Raw Material for Furniture manufacturing. It is a material with great mechanical resistance, that is, it does not break if an effort is applied to it. In addition, it is very easy to make joints between two wooden components using nails or high-tack glue.

It is capable of absorbing Glue and also Paints and Varnishes, so resistant and colorful furniture will be achieved, with a good final effect.

Wood, converted into sawdust, works in chemical plants as a reducing agent, especially for Zinc Sulfate ore roasting plants.

In the artistic medium, it works for many purposes:

Painters who use oil and acrylic paints express their ideas on 100% cotton canvas frames. These racks have a square or rectangular frame, whose shape is fixed thanks to a wooden structure.

The Easels they are tall holders, usually tripod shaped, that support the Frame on which the artist is working. Is it so also made of wood, and its forms are articulated.

To make sculptures. Large blocks of wood are acquired, sometimes in the shape of a rectangular prism, on which the wood is strategically struck to create shapes in it. The instruments used for this are Gouges, which are rigid metal utensils with plastic or wooden handles.

The cartoonists, when practicing the dimensions of the human body, use small wooden models, which are in exact proportion.

Examples of uses of Wood

As a structure for the fabric frames on which oil or acrylic paint is painted

To build Easels for Painters. They are tripods on which the Fabric Frame is placed.

To make sculptures. With the help of metal gouges, the wood is carved to achieve shapes and textures.

As fuel, arranging it in the shape of a Campfire.

In chemical plants for Roasting Zinc Sulfate, as a Reducing Agent.

For furniture making, well carved and smooth.

To manufacture Doors for houses, interior or exterior.

To make picture frames

To make scale models of the human body, for cartoonists

The wood made into small pieces, in the form of scales, is placed in several beds to purify the drinking water, and make it lighter.