The Academy Lecture

Frederick A. Kamke

JELD-WEN Professor of Wood-Based Composite Science
Department of Wood Science and Engineering
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR, USA

Composite Durability

Perhaps the greatest obstacle that has faced the introduction of wood products into new markets, or maintaining existing markets, has been the real or perceived lack of durability.

This obstacle is further compounded in the context of wood-based composites. Public perception is that « particleboard » and other composites grossly lumped into this category fall apart upon exposure to water.

There are plenty of examples of non-durable wood-based composites that are vilified in litigation proceedings and in promotional literature produced by manufacturers of competing materials.

Yet, by my estimates, there are 100-fold more examples of wood-based composites that have been humbly performing their task for decades.

Whether the application is in building construction, furniture, industrial products, or the thousands of other uses, durability (real or perceived), is still an issue.

This presentation will address the unique characteristics of wood-based composites that make them more susceptible to durability issues and what might be done to mitigate potential problems.

Emphasis will be placed on adhesive bonding and interactions with water.

The Lecturer

Frederick A. Kamke received his PhD in 1983 from the Department of Forest Products (Major), and Department of Chemical Engineering (Minor), Oregon State University. He was awarded a BS in 1979 by the Department of Forest Products, University of Minnesota. Before his appointment at Oregon State in 2005, he was a faculty member at Virginia Tech beginning in 1984 and was appointed professor in 1996. He also served as Director of the Sustainable Engineered Materials Institute (2002-2005) and Director of the Wood-Based Composites Center (1999-2005) at Virginia Tech. Dr. Kamke's research specialization is heat and mass transfer in wood and wood-based products, with emphasis on adhesion science, modeling, and the manufacture and performance of wood-based composite materials. Dr. Kamke has taught university-level courses in physical and mechanical properties of wood, wood anatomy, wood-based composite manufacture, drying of wood, wood and water relationships, durability of wood products, and adhesion of wood. He also regularly teaches short courses developed for the wood-based composites industry. Dr. Kamke is a member of the Society of Wood Science and Technology (president 1977-8), Forest Products Society, Renewable Natural Resources Foundation, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (Division V, Wood Drying Working Party), Composite Panel Association, and Structural Board Association. He was elected a Fellow in IAWS in 2001.

Forest Products Society 60th International Convention; Newport Beach, California 3:30-4:30 PM June 26, 2006