Cork Stopper
Cork Stopper
Cork - the Renewable Wonder Wood with Many Uses
Cork is a wondrous material that provides mankind with numerous benefits. Cork is made from the bark of the evergreen species of oak genus called the Quercus. The wood is native to southwest Europe and northwest Africa. It has also been introduced into warmer areas of the United States, but by far the number one producer of cork oak is Portugal, which accounts for half of the world's cork.
The cork oak tree has a very thick bark (known as "cork"), which can be harvested for the first time from the tree after about twenty five years. The cork pulled from the tree is light, flexible, and compressible. It is also resistant to liquids and gases. Its resistance to materials passing through its cells is a result of its chemical composition, which contains a large amount of suberin. Suberin contains acids which make it elastic and compressible. After its initial harvesting, a cork oak tree can be harvested about once a decade.
Cork's number one use is for wine stoppers. The demand for cork continues to rise as wine makers continue to use natural cork more than alternatives. Natural cork has the advantage of not soaking up the flavor of wines, as non-natural corks can do.
Cork has many other uses beyond its traditional role in capping wine bottles. Due to its fire resistance, cork has been used in rocket technology, as well as to make bricks for homes. Technological innovation has also resulted in the material becoming popular for use in footwear, furniture, and floor tiles.
The waste produced from cork that is heated to extreme temperatures is called black agglomerate. Black agglomerate has many uses as well, such as for vibration, thermal, and acoustic insulators. It is also prized for its appearance and is often used for ornamental and artistic purposes. The grinding of cork produces white agglomerate, which is useful for industrial purposes. White agglomerate is also used in the construction of sporting goods, such as golf clubs, rackets, helmets, and baseballs. Also, cork grains can be combined with rubber to form rubbercork, which is used for electrical and automobile purposes.
As mentioned above, Portugal produces half of the total cork in the world. The country's pleasant Mediterranean climate is ideal for growing cork oak trees. About 720 thousand hectares in Portugal are devoted to the growing of cork oak trees. One hectare equals 10 thousand square meters, so this represents a very large amount of land. A cork oak tree can live up to 200 years and will typically be harvested many times in its lifetime.
Cork is a natural product that is harvested naturally, so no damage is done to the environment. In addition, the material can be re-used and is biodegradable. There is no synthetic version of cork (the production of which would likely be much more damaging to the environment than natural cork harvesting), so it is a valuable material that does no damage in its production or consumption.
So now you know more about cork than you probably ever though you would. It's a product with many uses that can be re-generated naturally over and over. It's truly a wonder wood.
About the Author
For more information about cork or cork flooring, visit WorldFloorsDirect.com, a company specializing in wood flooring that originates from managed sustainable forests.
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Cork floors that are
Cork is the raw material for cork floor tiles. Did you know that the cap is in place over a thousand years? This means there is virtually unlimited supply of cork.
Cork is also natural cork tiles make a principle of choice for many people because it's safe and friendly environment. You can find more than 2.2 million hectares with a value of cork forests worldwide.
History of Cork
The raw material has been around for thousands of years. First, are using during the time of antiquity. The Greeks used the material to create wine bottle stoppers. In fact, cork still retains this role today, as well as other functions. Also has been a popular choice for the ground to the 1950s, when it suffered from competition with other easier to maintain than vinyl and linoleum.
Before he disappeared in the public interest in the 1950's, cork flooring is used in many famous buildings like the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, and Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. Previously, the cap has been limited due to the aesthetic quality of what has been rejected in favor of vinyl and linoleum, which had a wider choice of colors and reasons. However, after only 20 years, the cap was reintroduced into the market by manufacturers on this occasion with an eye for aesthetics so they can compete with the existing soil types. Cork, was once best known for its natural qualities and raw materials are easily available. Cork is also famous for its longevity and good price.
How cork is harvested
Cork is harvested from cork.
People do not need to cut trees to harvest the necessary equipment. Just remove the bark trees, once every 9 years. It is renewable, such as oak bark regrowth of trees after harvest. cork-producing trees are known to have a lifespan of up to 200 years, and new trees are planted every day. Is what the world will never be finished cork for use.
Properties Cork
The cork is very elastic.
It is also nearly impervious, which means that moisture can not easily find its way into products used as raw cork. The property also has a natural antibiotic that protects illnesses by parasites. Cork is also resistant to many things that explain the destruction of other natural soil materials. Dirt and dust is easy to do with tile floors, cork.
Cork is also fire resistant.
It is natural and the images have no chemicals introduced during production. It is very dangerous to use asbestos in place if you want to fireproof their home. Because it has no chemicals, Cork boxes are capable of improving the health of the occupants of the house, including you.
Cork is a natural insulator.
It can retain heat and keep the house warm during the cold season. Otherwise, you can also cool the inside during warm seasons. This means that with a cork floor, you will not install an air conditioner or heat your home.
About the Author
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Discount Cork Flooring
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