Rapidly heating and cooling composite mats comprised of cellulose and thermoplastic polymer

A method for producing a composite board comprised of plastic and cellulose, the method comprising:

• transmitting, by a processor, a first signal to one or more pairs of opposing hot-platens of a manufacturing apparatus, the one or more pairs of opposing hot-platens heating and compressing a composite mat comprising plastic, cellulose, and water, the composite mat having a core at a midpoint between a first end and a distal end of the composite mat, receipt of the first signal causing the one or more pairs of opposing hot-platens to compress and heat the composite mat;
• receiving, by the processor from a pressure sensor coupled to the one or more pairs of opposing hot-platens, indications of pressure the one or more pairs of opposing hot-platens exerts while compressing the composite mat;
• based on the indications, transmitting, by the processor, a second signal to the one or more pairs of opposing hot-platens, receipt of the second signal causing the one or more pairs of opposing hot-platens to heat and compress the composite mat at substantially a first pressure to superheat the water such that a temperature of the water remains above a boiling temperature of the water at a standard atmospheric pressure without the water changing from a liquid state to a gaseous state for a first time period sufficient for the core of the composite mat to reach a first target temperature;
• transmitting, by the processor, a third signal to the one or more pairs of opposing hot-platens, receipt of the third signal causing the one or more pairs of opposing hot-platens to release the composite mat from the first pressure after the first time period, wherein releasing the pressure on the composite mat causes the water in the composite mat to change from a liquid state to a gaseous state;
• and
• transmitting, by the processor, a fourth signal to a one or more pairs of opposing cold-platens of the manufacturing apparatus, receipt of the fourth signal causing the one or more pairs of opposing cold-platens to compress and cool the composite mat for a second time period sufficient for the core of the composite mat to reach a second target temperature.