Wood as Strong as Steel A new process by which wood may be made as strong as mild steel was described by Mr J. F. Field, conservator of forests for Southland, in a talk to the Invercargill Rotary Club. If ordinary wood was soaked in a solution of urea (an inexpensive chemical) and was heated to a temperature of 210 degrees Fahrenheit it could be bent, twisted, compressed, and moulded. When it was again bone-dry and thoroughly cooled it was as strong as mild steel. Tins discovery, said Mr Field, would permit a wider use of lowgrade limber. -For instance, ureatreated wood might conceivably be used instead of aluminium for aeroplane struts and ribs.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19420926.2.30
Bibliographic details
Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23753, 26 September 1942, Page 4
Word Count
114Untitled Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23753, 26 September 1942, Page 4
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Press. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.
Log in