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The “10 times tougher” claim refers to treated wood compared with natural wood—not to a result showing it is ten times tougher than steel. A 2018 University of Maryland study reported large gains in strength, toughness and ballistic resistance after researchers chemically treated and compressed wood. The study did not establish that its material was waterproof or fireproof. InventWood now markets a related commercial product, but says availability is limited.
What is “super wood”?
It is wood changed through processing, not a newly discovered tree species. In the 2018 University of Maryland research, the team partially removed lignin and hemicellulose—the substances that help bind and support wood’s structure—by boiling the wood in a chemical solution. They then hot-pressed it. Compression collapsed the cell walls and packed the cellulose nanofibres more densely and in closer alignment.
The resulting material showed substantial improvements over untreated wood in the study’s tests. The researchers reported greater strength, toughness, ballistic resistance and dimensional stability. These are findings about experimental material made by a particular process, not a guarantee that every commercial board will achieve the same performance.
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In a 2018 University of Maryland release, research team leader Liangbing Hu described the treated wood as “twelve times stronger than natural wood and ten times tougher.” The comparison is with natural wood, not steel. The terms also describe different material properties: strength is resistance to failure under load, while toughness concerns how much energy a material can absorb before breaking.
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The Nature paper reported tensile-strength measurements for several species. These values are specific to the tested wood and should not be treated as a universal strength value for “super wood.”
| Species | Natural wood tensile strength | Densified wood tensile strength |
|---|---|---|
| Oak | 115.3 ± 10.2 MPa | 584.3 ± 29.8 MPa |
| Poplar | 55.6 ± 8.0 MPa | 431.5 ± 15.1 MPa |
| Cedar | 46.5 ± 5.4 MPa | 550.1 ± 47.4 MPa |
| Pine | 70.2 ± 10.0 MPa | 536.9 ± 24.7 MPa |
Values are those reported in the 2018 Nature paper; the ± figures are the reported variation. Tensile strength is only one measure of performance. The team’s co-leader, Teng Li, said the material was “both strong and tough, which is a combination not usually found in nature.” That does not make strength, toughness, hardness and ballistic resistance interchangeable.
Is super wood stronger than steel?
There is no sound basis for saying it is “10 times tougher than steel” as a general material comparison. The paper reports that the processed wood’s specific strength—strength relative to weight—was higher than that of most structural metals and alloys. That is not the same as saying an equal-sized piece is stronger than steel, and it does not establish a tenfold advantage over steel on a universal measure.
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Is super wood waterproof?
The 2018 Nature study does not establish that its research samples were waterproof. It identifies humidity-related dimensional instability as a problem with earlier densification approaches and reports improved dimensional stability for its process. Greater stability when humidity changes is not proof that water cannot penetrate or damage the material.
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InventWood advertises water resistance for its commercial SUPERWOOD products and describes its residential siding as suitable in most wet climates. Those are company claims about its product. The company pages cited here do not provide the underlying test reports or a complete technical data sheet, so they do not establish exposure limits for a particular project.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is super wood fireproof?
No fireproofing result is established by the 2018 study: the paper reports ballistic testing, not fire testing. InventWood’s applications page claims that its siding has a Class A fire rating under ASTM E84. Attribute that rating to the company; it is not a fire result from the University of Maryland research, and “Class A” should not be read as “fireproof.” The available company information does not supply the underlying report or resolve project-specific code requirements.
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InventWood describes SUPERWOOD as a commercial building material for interiors and residential siding. As of September 27, 2026, the company’s contact page says production is underway at its Frederick, Maryland facility, capacity is fully allocated, and new availability is expected in the coming months. It also says technical product sheets are forthcoming. Availability and company statements may change.
The company’s reservation page describes reserving a place with a refundable deposit. Check the current terms with InventWood directly before making a commitment. For a construction specification or purchase decision, ask for current product documentation covering the intended application, moisture exposure, fire performance and applicable approvals.
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