Wood Composites
The UMaine Advanced Structures and Composites Center has significant expertise in the manufacturing and testing of wood and wood composites. We have conducted dozens of federal and industrial trials annually since our laboratory opened in 2000.
The centerpiece of our capability is a full wood composites pilot line. Oriented strand board (OSB), laminated strand lumber (LSL), Particleboard (PB), laminated veneer lumber (LVL), glulam, and plywood are a few of the products which are produced and tested at the Center. The line is near industrial in scale, and panels 3’x3′ or 4’x8′ are often manufactured.
Lumber testing is also conducted frequently, including all testing and analysis for NELMA that led to Norway spruce’s inclusion in the SPF-S category, as well as the required periodic testing of SPF-S lumber from the region.
Mass Timber is another area of heavy research, where new products are designed, manufactured, and tested.
Much of our testing is part of our ISO 17025 scope of accreditation, including ASTM D143, D198, D905, D1037, D1761, D1990, D2559, D3737, D4761, D5456, D6815, and PRG-320.
Please feel free to contact us to discuss our capabilities and request a quote for services.
Partners
The Advanced Structures and Composites Center regularly partners with the UMaine School of Forest Resources in support of Maine’s forest products industry.
Wood Composites Team
-
Russell Edgar, M.S.
Senior Lab Operations and Wood Composites Manager
(207) 299-4215
-
Dr. Stephen M. Shaler
Associate Director; Director and Professor of School of Forest Resources
(207) 581-4737
-
-
-
Recent Updates
-
Cross-Laminated Timber Focus of BDN article on regional economic growth
-
UMaine gets $455K for Maine Mass Timber Commercialization Center
-
Our Research Featured in PPH Editorial, “Our View: Don’t Lose Hope for Maine’s Wood Products Industry”
-
Watch a live recording of 11/2 Norway Spruce press conference
-
Norway spruce tested at UMaine approved for construction-grade lumber