Abstract:

The use of lingo cellulostic fibers as reinforcing fillers in the thermoplastic industry has gained much acceptance in recent years. This composite is expected to keep growing because of its reasonable utilization of wasted resources and potential ability of protecting environment. However, people are concerning weathering problems when exposing this material to outdoor application. This paper focuses on its resistance to ultraviolet degradation, water and frozen degradation, and fungal decay, which may help properly evaluate and use this new composite material. Accelerated aging showed that ultraviolet could fade color and reduce the mechanical properties of WPC, The combination of ultraviolet and water spraying did more adverse affection than pure ultraviolet. WPC with high proportion wood component or larger size wood particles would risk more fungi decay; scientists have developed preservatives such as Zinc Boric, specially used for WPC. Water penetrated into WPC so slowly, however, most moisture concentrated in outface layer. Both water absorption and freezethaw would reduce mechanical properties of WPC. WPC made by different methods differed in these properties. By far, the reason for WPC degradation has not been completely explained.

Key words: wood fiber/plastic composite(WPC), ultraviolet degradation, water absorption, freezethaw, fungal decay