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Steam bending is a method used in woodworking where wood is heated with steam until it it becomes pliable enough to be bent into a desired shape.

Process

Modern steam box made from insulation board.

The traditional method of steam bending starts with loading wood into an enclosure called a steam box. Boxes are typically constructed of wood, metal, pvc or insulation material. Hot steam is directed into the box from an external steam source such as a boiler.

The length of time required to steam wood depends on the thickness and species of wood. A popular rule of thumb is to steam wood for 1 hour for each inch of thickness.

After steaming, the wood is removed from the steam box and quickly bent by hand or bent upon a mold into a desired shape. When the wood cools, it closely retains it's new shape.

Applications

It has applications in woodworking such as furniture making, tool making and wooden boat building.

Technical

Steam Bending works by softening lignin, the natural polymer binder in wood, through a process called plasticization.

Limitations

Steam bending is limited in the degree of bend it can achieve, particularly for thick members. Also, not all species of wood steam bend well. It weakens the wood slightly and can leave residual stresses which may cause breakage or spring-back over time.

See also

Heat bending of wood

References

Category:Woodworking techniques