> Not to nitpick too much, but while wood is "technically" a composite material made up of fiber embedded in lignin, I don't think it's very useful to include it under the broad category of composite materials. Engineered woods like plywood and cross-laminated timber definitely are, but it's more useful to classify regular wood as an organic raw material rather than a composite.
Why would defining it as a raw material be "more useful"? Why is defining it as a composite "less useful"?
Not just that. When learning about the anisotropic nature of composites (different strengths in different directions) wood is a tangible example for anyone who’s done arts and crafts, woodworking, etc.
Why would defining it as a raw material be "more useful"? Why is defining it as a composite "less useful"?