Wood in 2020s: Embodied-carbon argument

Anisotropic cellulose composite grown as trees — carpentry, mass timber and a combustible story that codes still manage. Wood is one of 32 materials in this atlas, grouped under ceramics: history, structure, measured properties, process routes, uses, safety and market — not a product catalogue.

Scores compare Wood with the rest of the atlas on strength, heat, fire behaviour, insulation, workability and circularity. They are editorial, not certificates. Seven chapters follow. Fire and insulation claims name test families (Euroclass, ASTM E84, ISO 5660, KS F) rather than inventing a single safety number.

Wood (cellulose–hemicellulose–lignin) is a family of grades whose density 0.3–0.8 g/cm³ typical, heat band chars ~200–300 °C; does not melt, and fire letter D–B depending on product / treatment. Wood is sold as grades, not as a single substance. Chemistry cellulose–hemicellulose–lignin, density 0.3–0.8 g/cm³ typical, heat band chars ~200–300 °C; does not melt.