Laboratory tests on fungal resistance of wood filled polyethylene composites

Craig M. Clemons; Rebecca E. Ibach

Treesearch

Laboratory tests on fungal resistance of wood filled polyethylene composites

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Craig M. Clemons, Rebecca E. Ibach

Year:

2002

Type:

Miscellaneous Publication

Station:

Forest Products Laboratory

Source:

ANTEC 2002 Annual Tecnical Conference : May 5-9, 2002, San Francisco, CA. : conference proceedings. Volume II, Materials. S.l. : Society of Plastics Engineers, 2002: p. 2219-2222

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Abstract

A standard method for determining the durability of structural wood was modified for testing the fungal resistance of composites made from high density polyethylene filled with 50% wood flour. Moisture content, mechanical properties, and weight loss were measured over 12 weeks exposure to brown-and white-rot fungi. Mechanical properties were decreased, but irreversible damage due to water sorption made separating this effect from that of fungal attack difficult. Further modifications to test methodology are suggested.

Keywords

Wood-destroying fungi, wood filled polyethylene composites, composite products, polyethylene, laboratory tests

Citation

Clemons, Craig M.; Ibach, Rebecca E. 2002. Laboratory tests on fungal resistance of wood filled polyethylene composites. ANTEC 2002 Annual Tecnical Conference : May 5-9, 2002, San Francisco, CA. : conference proceedings. Volume II, Materials. S.l. : Society of Plastics Engineers, 2002: p. 2219-2222