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This study aims to evaluate the effects of natural weathering in the city of Teresina, State of Piauí, Brazil, on the morphology and mechanical properties of eco-composites based on high-density green polyethylene, powdered cork and compatibilizer processed in a twin-screw extruder and injection molded. The analyses revealed that although weathering induced surface bleaching of eco-composites and cracking, these effects were not intense in the compatibilized samples. The tensile properties of the investigated materials were affected by abiotic degradation, which led to a reduction of the tensile strength and elastic deformation of the eco-composites, however, the incorporation of PEgMA was fundamental for the maintenance of mechanical performance after natural aging. In general, the results obtained were satisfactory for external applications of the compatibilized eco-composite with 15% cork in the proposed weathering range, which indicates its possible use in temporary constructions.

In this study, green high-density polyethylene (GHDPE) composites with 5, 10 and 15% natural powdered cork (CP) with and without 5% maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) were developed in order to evaluate the potential of these materials for civil construction applications. The composites were produced in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder and injection molded. An impedance tube was used to determine the acoustic behavior of the composites, which were then used as ceiling tiles in prototypes of provisional constructions in order to study ascertain their performance with respect to thermal comfort in the City of Teresina, PI -Brazil. Our data indicates that composites sound absorption coefficient values are good between 500 and 1200 Hz, especially for those with a higher percentage of cork, with the lowest absorption rate observed for composites containing PE-g-MA. The composites used in the prototypes provided a decrease in the internal temperature of the built structure.