High Performance Natural Composite

The K&C team proposes to leverage a unique rotary lathe technology that can peel hardwoods into ultra-thin veneers. The strength, quality, and pliability of ultra-thin veneers will lead to stronger laminate composites and more stable forming of complex 3D parts of compound curvature, without sacrificing durability and radio frequency (RF) transparency, through innovative use of natural wood and adhesive polymer materials. The proposed ultra-thin veneers flex and drape like. The use of the ultra-thin veneers will produce laminates with: 1) Consistent quality, by confining production thickness to the growth-ring thickness of the tree; 2) Less statistical variation in material properties, with ample opportunity to select high-quality plies and filter out natural defects; 3) Higher strength based on historical study that showed thinner veneers made plywood panels stronger; 4) Greater dimensional stability, by conforming to shapes without inelastic mechanical deformation, chemical modification nor added moisture from soaking or steaming; and 5) Greater damage tolerance based on recent studies of ultra-thin-ply Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites.