Tue, 21 June, 2022
TWI has been working on a novel process to join timber elements using automated friction welding technology.
TWI's Dr Kate Franklin, Dr Scott Andrews, Dr Bertrand Flipo and Dr Steve Dodds have been working in collaboration with Dr Darshil Shah, Dr Michael Ramage, Mads Studholme, and Jason Chang from the University of Cambridge, Dr Eleni Toumpanaki from the University of Bristol, and Dr Thomas Reynolds from the University of Edinburgh on the development of this innovative timber joining process.
The process could prove revolutionary for the timber industry as it produces fused timber joints that are stronger than conventional glues, and even stronger than the native wood.
In contrast with traditional methods, such as adhesives, this method can reliably produce high quality bonds without the need for any mechanical fasteners, binders, or a curing process.
Proven to be compatible with a wide variety of different wood species and products, including beech, oak, slash pine, bamboo laminate, MDF, and particle board, this process could be a game changer for the mass timber industry, reducing production time and costs.
In addition, the process has benefits for recyclability and the circular economy and we believe it could revolutionise the way that high volume timber products are manufactured.
Sam Holdsworth, a project leader from our friction welding team is due to present on the process at IOM3’s Timber 2022 conference in London on 5th July, with a speech called, ‘Branching Out – How Friction Welding Could Revolutionise the Mass Timber Industry.’
With a range of potential applications across industry, you can find out more about Sam’s presentation at Timber 2022 here, or contact us below for more details.