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Wood-plastic composites with reduced moisture : effects of chemical modification on durability in the laboratory and field

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Although laboratory evaluations of wood-plastic composites (WPCs) are helpful in predicting long-term durability, field studies are needed to verify overall long-term durability. Field exposure can encompass numerous degradations i.e., fungal, ultraviolet light, moisture, wind, temperature, freeze/thaw, wet/ dry cycling, termites, mold, etc. that traditionally are studied separately in the laboratory. Moisture sorption of WPCs is slower than in unmodified solid wood, but it affects the strength, stiffness, and ultimately the decay of the material. The objectives of this study were to: 1) investigate several methods of reducing moisture sorption and, consequently, fungal degradation, 2) compare the effects of moisture and fungal decay on woodflour-filled and woodfiber-reinforced high-density polyethylene, and 3) perform laboratory and field evaluations of WPCs specimens. The methods used to reduce moisture were: 1) acetylation of the wood component and 2) use of a coupling agent. Acetylating wood esterifies the hydroxyl groups, making the wood more hydrophobic, dimensionally stable, and biologically durable. Coupling agents are known to promote bonding between the plastic and unmodified wood fibers when added to WPCs and have been shown to reduce moisture. Acetylating the wood component in WPCs reduced moisture sorption and related performance losses such as decay and flexural property loss in laboratory tests. Reduction in moisture sorption and decay with addition of a coupling agent were significant but not as large as acetylation. Early findings in field tests were consistent with laboratory results but considerably more time is needed to adequately assess the different formulations.

Keywords

Ultraviolet radiation, weathering, polyethylene, wood flour, composite materials, biodegradation, mechanical properties, wood-decaying fungi, deterioration, moisture, wood plastic composites, service life, adsorption, adsorption, acetylation, flexure, coupling agents, acetylated wood, modified wood, durability, resistance to decay, moisture content, wood plastic materials, chemical modification of wood

Citation

Ibach, Rebecca E.; Clemons, Craig M.; Schumann, Rebecca L. 2007. Wood-plastic composites with reduced moisture: effects of chemical modification on durability in the laboratory and field. In: Stark, Nicole M., Ed. Proceedings of Ninth International Conference on wood & biofiber plastic composites. 2007 May 21-23; Madison, WI. Madison, WI: Forest Products Society: 7224: 259-266. ISBN: 1892529505: 9781892529503.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/31174