Are Composites Worth the Hype?

Overview

I noticed different kinds of wood around my house and wondered why each one was used for a different purpose. This curiosity led me to investigate which wood-based material is strongest: normal poplar wood, MDF(medium-density fiberboard), tempered hardboard, or plywood. I predicted that since Poplar wood has more cellulose fibers held together with lignin than other composite woods, it would hold the most weight. I tested 3 pieces of each type of wood (poplar wood, plywood, tempered hardboard, and MDF), cut to the same dimensions, to see which could hold the most weight. I placed each piece of wood with edges screwed onto stacks of concrete blocks, and suspended weight from them in buckets held by ratchet straps to the wood planks. I then recorded how much weight each plank could take before snapping. The results proved my hypothesis correct, as poplar wood held a mean of 158.3 lbs, around thrice the amount of weight as the other woods, showing its superior strength. During the experiment, the buckets that held the weights sometimes leaned against the concrete stack, causing an incorrect reading. I moved them to correct this error. I also noticed that planks in the first trial had to hold the weight for a longer time compared to the third trial. In conclusion, although composite woods may have other benefits, it is best to use natural wood when pure strength is needed. Future research on strengthening composites may prove very beneficial.

Competition history

• CSEF 2026 Product Science (Junior Division) · Entry J-19-11

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