Wood from the Paulownia tree could be a particularly good choice for use aboard ships in shipbuilding, interior design of ships, and for both sound and thermal insulation, scientists in Germany and Lebanon have concluded.
The damping properties of the wood (that is, the ability of the wood to absorb vibrations) and the stiffness of the timber were investigated by Prof. Dr. Jürgen Göken of the Faculty of Maritime Sciences at the University of Applied Sciences (Emden / Leer), Germany, and Dr. Nicolas Saba of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Balamand, Lebanon.
It was found that the wood has significant damping and stiffness properties. It was also discovered that the properties of the wood vary by its geographic origin. The researchers also described the other properties of Paulownia wood, which includes its “excellent” insulation properties in relation to electrical current, heat, cold, fire resistance (an ignition point greater than 420 degrees Celsius which is much greater than the 220 C found in common hardwoods). The wood is “an attractive choice for maritime applications where the fire risk of materials is a critical concern,” the researchers wrote.
The researchers also noted from their literature review that the Paulownia tree is one of the fastest growing tree species, and, within its first year, it can reach a height of up to six metres. “In a fraction of the time, the Paulownia tree produces as much wood volume as an oak tree,” the researchers observed, adding that harvesting is possible after five years of growth and that the tree can re-grow directly after harvesting.
Paulownia also binds approximately ten times more carbon dioxide than other tree species and produces more oxygen compared to many other plant species while simultaneously being resistant to heat and drought, “making it relatively undemanding in terms of growth conditions,” the researchers observed.
Meanwhile, the wood forms a honeycomb-like cell structure, which results in high stability, strength and low weight. It also exhibits low swelling and shrinkage behaviour, all of which are desirable in a maritime context.
Paulownia wood could be used in decks, walls, and onboard furniture where noise and vibration controls are required, the scientists suggested, and it could also be used to design interior spaces that are both pleasing to the eye and functional. It was also suggested that the wood could be used as insulation given its sustainability and its sound-damping and thermal-insulating properties, thereby “improving the quality of life for the crew”.
“The damping investigations on Paulownia wood demonstrate promising potential for its use in shipping. The combination of sustainability, lightweight properties, and excellent damping characteristics makes Kiri wood an ideal material for the demands of modern shipping,” the researchers concluded.
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