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History of Cork Flooring

• Origins

  • Originally used as wine stoppers

  • Evolved into a vital material in various industries: construction, technology, and fashion

  • Cork comes in multiple formats: natural, composition, granulated, rubber/cork

• Unique Attributes

  • Cork surpasses synthetic substitutes due to its diverse applications

  • Adaptable for many product specifications, often with invisible applications

• Applications

  • Insulation

  • Vibration Dampening

  • Sound Dampening

  • Gasket Seals

  • Flotation Devices

  • Load Bearing and Weight Distribution

  • Polishing Products

• Industry Preferences

  • Chosen by experts in various fields: aeronautical engineers, architects, scientists, fashion designers

Building and Architecture Cork Applications

• Cork's Versatility

  • Functions as a thermal barrier, sound insulator, and vibration dampener

  • Non-corrosive, fire-resistant, capable of bearing heavy loads

• Usage

  • Insulated roofs, walls, floors, ceilings

  • Utilized in expansion or compression joints in structures such as dams and tunnels

  • Absorbs vibrations in metal structures

Interior Design Cork Applications

• Resurgence of Natural Materials

  • Increased use in decorative spaces and insulation

  • Warms and enriches interiors

• Functional Beauty

  • Used for flooring, decorative walls, and ceilings

  • Blends well with various décor styles

  • Easy to clean and maintain

  • Often used as underlay for hardwood, ceramic, and marble floors

Leisure Activities Cork Applications

• Health Benefits

  • Invisible yet critical role in sports and leisure

• Products

  • Used in fishing nets and lines for buoyancy

  • Components in dart boards, golf balls, baseballs, and shuttlecocks

  • Cork is found in golf clubs, table tennis rackets, and fireworks

  • Used for producing gifts, novelty items, office cork boards, placemats, and drink coasters

Fashion Cork Applications

• Resurgence in Fashion

  • Used in comfortable footwear

  • Collaborates well with other materials, especially leather

  • Used in handbags, wallets, and travel cases

• Characteristics

  • Lightweight and sturdy, making it ideal for travel

Technology Cork Applications

• Industry Maintenance

  • Despite many substitutes, cork remains essential in modern sectors: automobile, electric, aeronautic, and structural industries

• Innovative Uses

  • Protective heat shields in missiles and spacecraft (e.g., Shuttle program)

  • Plumbing insulation: lightweight flexibility and effective

  • Insulating pipes with ease, suitable for retrofitting

Automobile and Electrical Industry Uses

• Cork/Rubber Gaskets

  • Combination leverages cork’s compressibility, elasticity, heat resistance with rubber’s stability

• Fluid Leak Prevention

  • Used in modern liquid transformers across various industries

• Vibration Control in Machinery

  • High density expanding agglomerate planks mitigate vibrations

  • Cost-effective method for reducing mechanical stress and metal fatigue

  • Prolongs machinery lifespan and reduces repair costs.