Durability of wood-plastic composites

J.J. Morrell; Nicole M. Stark; David E. Pendleton; Armando G. McDonald

Treesearch

Durability of wood-plastic composites

Informally Refereed

Authors:

J.J. Morrell, Nicole M. Stark, David E. Pendleton, Armando G. McDonald

Year:

2006

Type:

Miscellaneous Publication

Station:

Forest Products Laboratory

Source:

Wood design focus. Vol. 16, no. 3 (fall 2006): pages 7-10.

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Download (PDF 60 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/25746.pdf

Abstract

Deterioration is broadly defined as any negative effect on the properties of a material. The effects can be due to biological attack or to various non-living agents (sunlight, moisture, temperature), but often, deterioration results from a combination of factors. Nowhere is this more evident than with WPCs, owing to the marriage of dissimilar materials. This article examines agents that can damage WPCs, explores methods for limiting this damage, and then addresses long-term methods for assessing WPC properties related to durability.

Keywords

Accelerated testing, accelerated life testing, marine borers, insect pests, wood-decaying fungi, composite materials, moisture, deterioration, biodegradation, discoloration, ultraviolet radiation, biodegradation, weathering, wood plastic composites, durability, resistance to decay, wood-plastic materials

Citation

Morrell, J.J.; Stark, Nicole M.; Pendleton, David E.; McDonald, Armando G. 2006. Durability of wood-plastic composites. Wood design focus. Vol. 16, no. 3 (fall 2006): pages 7-10.