Effect of accelerated weathering and termite attack on the tensile properties and aesthetics of recycled HDPE-pinewood composites

Abstract

Although wood-plastic composites (WPCs) are materials widely used in the construction industry, their durability constitutes a serious issue especially when used for outdoor applications. Therefore, this work gives account on the effect of biotic and abiotic degradation agents on two different WPCs prepared from recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and pinewood residues. Two aspects were evaluated, namely mechanical properties and aesthetics. Compression-molded samples obtained from two different formulations based on 40% of wood and 60% of HDPE, containing 0 and 5% of coupling agent with respect to wood content, were subjected to 0, 1000 and 2000 h of accelerated weathering (AW), using an ultraviolet-type accelerated tester equipped with UVA-340 fluorescent lamps. Afterward, the aged specimens were exposed to attack by termites (TA) of the species Nasutitermes nigriceps for 15 and 30 days. Tensile properties after AW and TA were assessed using an Instron 5500R (1125) universal tester. Similarly, the aesthetic aspect was studied to evaluate the color changes on the specimens' surfaces using a Minolta CR-200 Chroma Meter. The results of this work show drops in the mechanical properties of both composites that were not

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

“…They indicated that the coupling agent might have reinforced material resistance against termites due to a more resistant interface, which hindered the access of their mandibles into the lignocellulosic material. 30 The lowest mean mass losses caused by termites were observed in formulation 4B, 8B and 12B produced with recycled CCA-treated wood flour and 5% MAPE. In terms of termite mortality rates, the results indicate that recycled CCA and the addition of MAPE did not create statistically significant differences in any of the formulations tested in this study.…”

Termite’s potential in solid waste management in Himachal Pradesh: A mini review

“…and Bacillus sp . Lopez-Naranjo et al (2012) examined the effects of termite attacks on weathered and unweathered pinewood residue and recycled high-density polyethylene composites. It was observed that the termite species N. nigriceps was able to degrade compression-moulded specimens.…”

Economic and ecological importance of termites: A global review

“…), rubber products (Zhong & Liu ), synthetic films and plastic materials (López‐Naranjo et al . ), and food products.…”

“…Termites harm many structures: bridges, dams, decks, homes (Gaju et al 2002;Manzoor & Mir 2010;Li et al 2011;Ab Majid & Ahmad 2015), surviving walls, roads, poles (Kumode et al 2013;Lenz et al 2013a), insulation of underground cables and pipes (Sternlicht 1977;Lenz et al 2013a). Damage is also caused to household furniture (Cosme et al 2018), paper (Jiménez-Francisco et al 2018, rubber products (Zhong & Liu 2003), synthetic films and plastic materials (López-Naranjo et al 2014), and food products.…”