Abstract: A composite article includes cellulosic strands and binder, the strands having been extracted to remove hemicellulose. In certain embodiments, the cellulosic strands are wood strands. The article may have reduced production of volatile organic compound emissions compared to the same article made with non-extracted strands. Also, the article may have improved performance after exposure to moisture. A method of manufacturing a composite article comprising extracting cellulosic strands to remove hemicelluose, and forming a composite which includes the strands and a binder. In certain embodiments, the extraction is a hot water extraction.

Abstract: A moisture impermeable edge reinforced wood composite structural system includes a wood composite panel having opposing faces, at least one moisture impermeable reinforcement edge, and at least one moisture impermeable reinforcement perimeter zone. The perimeter zone is a coating of a moisture impermeable reinforcement/resin matrix material which provides the structural system with improved fastener performance and reduced panel edge swell as a result of moisture exposure.

Abstract: The present invention is a resin-starved pultruded-impregnated panel, wood composites utilizing said panel, and a method of making the same. The panel of the present invention comprises a pultruded center portion made from a plurality of fibers bound together by a resin such that the surfaces of the center portion contain significantly less resin than the core, and a layer of an impregnating adhesive, having similar chemical properties to chemical properties of a bonding adhesive used to laminate layers of the wood composite, bonded to each surface to form the surfaces of the panel. The wood composite of the present invention comprises a plurality of wooden members disposed in substantially parallel relation to one another, at least one resin starved pultruded panel disposed at a predetermined location between two of the members; and a bonding adhesive disposed between the surfaces of the members the panel to bond them together.