Abstract
Environment-friendly shock-absorbing (cushioning) materials were made using a vacuum forming method from waste wood collected from local mountains in Korea. The waste wood was pulped by thermomechanical pulping. The TMP cushions showed superior shock-absorbing properties with lower elastic moduli compared to EPS(Expanded Polystyrene) and pulp mold. Even though the TMP cushions made using at different suction times had many free voids in their inner fiber structures, their apparent densities were a little higher than EPS and much lower than pulp mold. The addition of cationic starch improved elastic modulus of the TMP cushions without increasing the apparent density, which was different from surface sizing with starch. The porosity of the TMP cushions was a little greater than EPS and much less than pulp mold. Finally, the TMP cushions have great potential to endure external impacts occurring during goods distribution.