WOOD AND ITS SUBSTITUTES

SOLID WOOD

CEDAR
MAHOGANY
GUASIBÁN
CHICHIPATE
CYPRESS
RADIATA PINE
CHEMICALLY TREATED PINE WOOD

Wood is a living material, therefore it displays many properties, like grain, pores, a different look according to the direction of the oncoming light, it stretches and shrinks due to temperature changes, it has a moisture content, alcalinity etc.

These properties can be altered by means of different processes, depending on the purpose which is being aimed at. Wood is a RENEWABLE RESOURCE, for this reason, it is highly important to use wood which is grown in a controlled environment, thus ensuring a sustainable supply of a high quality.

WOODS FOR TECHNICAL PURPOSES

TEAK
CEDAR

Technical woods are the outcome of a process which compensates the inner stress of the material, aiming at a behaviour which is more stable than that of natural wood. As a result a veneer-like surface with a uniform grain is obtained.

MOULDED WOOD

These materials are obtained through a moulding process during which also glues are added. The raw materials are a wooden mass and resin components extracted from natural wood.

VENEER WOOD

These materials are made of a moulded wood panel with a 0.6mm thin veneer layer on each of both sides.

MDF

These materials are made of a wooden mass, in general obtained out of pine wood, which is put several layers over each other. The manufacturing process is similar to that for cardboard. It is available in different densities.

MELAMINE

Moulded wood covered by a plastic film. There is a similar material covered with a paper film instead of plastic, though it is not very longlasting.

PLASTIC SHEETS

Better known under the trade name “Formica” because of the first product of this type which appeared on the market. It consists of a number of thin polymere layers with a waterproof plastic surface.

THERMOPLASTIC PVC FILM

It is a film so thin as a page of 80 gr copy paper, and it has the properties of PVC. By means of a thermal process, it takes the lasting shape of the mould upon which it is to be glued, in such a way that it provides the mould with its properties concerning impermeability to water, resistance against shock, detergents and abrasives.

VARNISHES

CELLULOSE NITRATE

SEALING VARNISH

Varnishes of the first generation, whose binder was a solvent, normally thinner, which conveys the solid particles onto a surface like that of wood and some of its substitutes, and fix them there. The outcome is a crystalline structure which covers up the surface.

Disadvantages:

This crystal has only a low resistance against shock, this is why the furniture coated with this kind of varnish is likely to get scratched and to show lasting shock marks, for the crystalline structure tears around the spots where it gets hit.

The solid particles come off the varnished surface after some time, thus making maintenance work necessary, the piece of furniture must then be recoated.

The colours have a low resistance against UV rays, that is why they fade away due to exposure to direct or indirect light.

POLYESTERS

Varnishes of the second generation. They are produced by means of mixing a component with its catalyst. A chemical reaction is responsible for the drying up. The film obtained in such a way is to be treated with abrasives in order to provide a smooth, transparent and bright surface. This product led to the bright coatings which were so fashionable in the 80’s.

POLYURETHANES

Varnishes of the third generation. They are produced by means of mixing a polymer base with a catalyst and a solvent. A chemical reaction is also responsible for the drying up. The binder contains a levelling wax which tends to float above, and stays fixed on the surface after the mixture has dried. This wax has to be removed, otherwise the polyurethane finish would not adhere to the surface.

Result: a plastic and hence shockproof film which takes the shape of the surface it has been applied to, even after the latter might have been hit.