PROPERTIES,ACADEMY

Properties

Cork, an Amazing Natural Material

Cork is the outer layer of the Quercus Suber tree, and it is 100% natural and vegetal. Cork has been known for it's elasticity since ancient times. Cork is such an amazing Natural, Versatile, Sustainable, a perfect raw material that no industrial, laboratory or technological process has yet been able to emulate its characteristics.

It also possesses other very valuable physical properties. They show why cork is such a versatile material:

Lightweight

Antimicrobial

Impermeability

Insulation

Fire Retardant

Abrasion-Resistant

Elastic

Sustainable

Soft in Texture

Regulator

Lightweight:

Cork is roughly 15% solid and the rest is air, the density of 160 to 240 kg/m³ of cork, it's low density, which makes cork extremely light and buoyancy.

Elastic:

The low volume fraction of solid, together with the relatively compliant cell wall material, makes it compressible and elastic, accommodating deformation. Its closed cells are impervious to liquids, and can easily return to its original shape. These characteristics, along with other qualities, largely explain how cork has become indispensable for stoppers manufacturing.

Impermeability:

The suberin and wax present in the cell wall make the cork virtually impermeable to liquids and gases. As a result, it does not rot, and may therefore be considered one of the best seals available.

Warmth, Sound and Insulation:

The high volume fraction of air in the cork and its small cells contribute to its ability to hold warmth, acoustic insulation and low sound transmission. Low density and high porosity make most sound waves adsorbable and transform into heat energy. Cork is an acoustic corrector because it absorbs more than 60% of the sound waves that affect the surface.
The insulation value of the cork is very good. The Lambda value is 0.038-0.040 W/mK.

Fire retardant:

The slow burning of cork makes it a natural fire retardant. Cork is a natural barrier against fire. Cork burns without flame and does not emit toxic gases during combustion.

Durability, Non-slip and Rigidity:

Cork is also remarkably resistant to wear and has a high coefficient of friction. Thanks to the honeycomb structure, the cork is very durable, in contrast to other hard surfaces, and because energy loss occurs inside the cork rather than surface effects, things like cork floors or cork mats won't become smooth even when wet or soapy. In addition, lignin and the polysaccharides of its cell wall provide it with rigidity and make it resistant over time.

Nontoxic, Antimicrobial, Hypoallergenic:

One of the most important cork characteristics is nontoxic, and cork is naturally resistant to dust and the growth of mites, consequently, It does not release any dangerous compounds and cause allergies nor pose a risk to asthma sufferers, therefore it's an ideal material.

Sustainable:

Cork is a natural raw material which is 100% biodegradable, recyclable and renewable – no trees are cut down in the process of harvesting cork. Even waste is used strategically throughout the production process.

Soft in Texture:

Cork is very soft in texture, with a very unique odour that is not intrusive and slightly sweet. With a normal temperature very close to that of the human body, the cork emits a sense of comfort that is difficult to replicate with any other material.

Regulator:

The material is a natural moisture balancer due to the honeycomb-lattice formed between the cells. In addition, Cork dust can be used as biomass as a neutral energy source for CO₂ emissions.

Composition of Cork

Tannins in cork can improve the taste of red wine and soften blood vessels. Cork composition varies according to geographic origin, climate and soil conditions, genetic origin, tree size, age (virgin or breeding), and growth conditions. However, in general, cork is composed of suberin, lignin, polysaccharides, extractables and others.

NO.	Main Conditions	Proportion	Function
#1	Suberin	45%	The main component of the cell walls is responsible for the elasticity of the cork.
#2	Lignin	27%	Insulating compound.
#3	Polysaccharides	12%	Cell wall components help define the texture of the cork.
#4	Tannins	6%	Polyphenolic compounds are responsible for color.
#5	Seroids	5%	Hydrophobic compounds that guarantee the impermeability of the cork.