Determination of biological performance, dimensional stability, mechanical and thermal properties of wood–plastic composites produced from recycled chromated copper arsenate-treated wood

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the dimensional stability, mechanical and biological performance and thermal degradation of wood–plastic composites made from high-density polyethylene and recycled wood treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA), a commonly used wood preservative chemical. Virgin pine wood samples were also prepared with and without a coupling agent and used as the control group. Samples of CCA-treated Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) with varying wood content were produced by adding different ratios of the coupling agent. The recycled CCA-treated wood-filled composites exhibited better flexural and tensile strength properties and dimensional stability than the control group, whilst their impact strength was less. Biological test values showed improved durability against termites and fungus with the recycled CCA-treated wood-filled composites. In addition, the leaching of heavy metals was significantly diminished when the coupling agent was utilized at a level of 5% (w/w), thus presenting a much lower impact on the environment.

Use of Recycled Pulped Chromated Copper Arsenate-Treated Wood Fibre in Polymer Composites

“…The composites with MAPP have a comparable moisture absorption regardless of the filler type used. These observations agree with the results found by Tascioglu et al [14]. The reduced moisture uptake for composites with MAPP added can be explained by the improved adhesion and dispersion the coupling agent causes.…”

“…These improvements were attributed to the presence of the CCA in the wood particles. Additionally, Tascioglu et al [14] determined the biological performance, dimensional stability, mechanical and thermal properties of HDPE filled with CCA wood flour from recycled CCA-treated wood. The dimensional stability study showed that the water absorption and thickness swelling increase with the amount of filler used.…”

Potential Use of Hazelnut Husk in Recycled High-Density Polyethylene Composites

“…The use of coupling agent enhanced the fiber-matrix interaction thus increasing the brittleness of the composite. Similar findings were reported in other studies (Tascioglu et al 2014;Tufan et al 2016). …”

“…The mass loss rate values of all the polymer composites decreased with the use of the coupling agent because MAPE is known to enhance the interfacial adhesion between wood flour and polymer matrices. Thus, the lignocellulosic material was better encapsulated by the polymer matrix, and the good encapsulation prevented the fungus from reaching the lignocellulosic material (Tascioglu et al 2014;Tufan et al 2015a).…”

Effects of different filler types on decay resistance and thermal, physical, and mechanical properties of recycled high-density polyethylene composites

“…The chemical reaction of the hydrophilic hydroxyl groups of the carpenter waste and the acid anhydride groups of the MAPE reduced the number of free hydrophilic groups. Furthermore, MAPE at the interface reduced the water uptake of the specimens [19,20].…”