FORMULA/ CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
C123H182O56N
MATERIAL DESCRIPTION
Cork is the external protective layer of dead cells (known as bark) on an evergreen Cork Oak tree (Quercus suber). The bark is composed of cells consisting of a gaseous composition similar to air particles, combined with layers of cellulose and suberin. The Cork Oak tree grows in the Mediterranean, particularly in Portugal and Spain.
EXTRACTION PROCESS
The harvesting process is achieved by stripping the bark off of the tree during the spring and summer seasons every nine to ten years, using a traditional cork axe.
BASIC PROPERTIES
- COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH (N/M2) 152 N/M2
- TENSILE STRENGTH (N/M2) 1.00E+00 N/M2
- STIFFNESS (N/M2) -
- DENSITY (KG/M3) 100-130 KG/M3
- CARBON FOOTPRINT (AVERAGE KGCO2E/KG) 0.379 KGCO2E
- RECYCLABLE YES
- LASER HIGHLY EFFECTIVE
- SMALL LASER HIGHLY EFFECTIVE
- MILLING HIGHLY EFFECTIVE
- 3D PRINTING -
ADVANTAGE IN THE CONTEXT OF DIGITAL FABRICATION
Cork is a strong and light material that can be easily manipulated through digital fabircation. Due to its low desnity, it can be easily cut using a laser cutter or milling machine into a variety of forms. The waste it produces can be recycled and re-used for different digtial fabrication designs.
MATERIAL SUPPLIERS
- Surotecnia http://www.surotecnia.com
- Bertran Cork http://www.exportersindia.com/bertrancorksl/contact.htm
- Barnacork http://www.barnacork.com/empresa-barnacork/empresa-barnacork
PRICE (€ / KG, CHEAPEST FOUND IN BCN, 2014)
- Surotecnia €7.80 per KG
REFERENCES
Vaulted Cork Pavilion
By Pedro de Azambuja Varela, Maria João de Oliveira and Emmanuel Novo
Concreta 2013, Beinnial at Exponor, Porto in Portugal
The project was accomplished whilst studying in the Digital Architecture Advanced Studies Course (CEAAD), it was a collaborative development between ISCTE-IULisboa and FAUPorto. All the fabrication was achieved at VFABLAB-IUL
“Vaulted Cork Pavillion / Pedro de Azambuja Varela + Maria João de Oliveira + Emmanuel Novo” 08 Dec 2013. ArchDaily. Accessed 17 Oct 2014. <http://www.archdaily.com/?p=455127>
Float
By Benjamin Hubert
London Design Festival 2009
http://www.dezeen.com/2009/09/23/float-by-benjamin-hubert-for-unique-copenhagen/
The lamps are hand-turned out of Portuguese agglomerate cork blocks and created using waste cork from wine stopper manufacturers. The left over waste is fed back into the process and used to produce the next bunch of lamps.