Wood Hydroplasticization Toward Ultra-Strong and Self-Densified Complex Structures

Wood has been one of the most widely used sustainable materials for millennia, but its limited mechanical properties and formability have restricted its application in diverse structural contexts. In this study, we elucidate the mechanisms governing the micromechanical behaviors of wood and the strengthening effects achieved through room-temperature hydroplasticization. This process transforms wood into ultra-strong, self-densified structures with customizable shapes, driven by system deformation and energy dissipation. These effects are governed by the interplay between polymer matrix elasticity and interfacial sliding response. Notably, the hydroplasticization method enables the attainment of a high flexural strength (483 MPa), surpassing that of mechanically compressed wood and traditional materials like steel and aluminum alloys. These findings introduce new possibilities for developing complex load-bearing structures that are previously unachievable with conventional wood.