Effects of UV weathering and a CeO₂‐based coating layer on the mechanical and structural changes of wood/PVC composites

Abstract

Composite samples (WPVCs) of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and wood flour were prepared in the PVC:wood weight ratio of 1:1, and the mechanical and structural changes of the composites were assessed in terms of UV aging time and condensation temperature. Acrylic coating containing cerium dioxide as a UV absorber was used for moderation of the mechanical and structural changes of PVC in the WPVC composites. The experimental results indicated that the tensile and flexural properties of the composites monotonically decreased when the aging time was increased, the effect being more pronounced at high condensation temperatures. It was observed that the polyene and yellowness indexes of the WPVC composites increased with UV aging time. The hydrophilicity of the WPVC was quantified by contact angle results and found to increase with increasing UV aging because of hydrogen bonding between OH groups on the wood surfaces and water molecules. The acrylic coating containing CeO2 proposed in this work was sufficiently effective for maintaining the levels of hydrophilicity and mechanical properties of the WPVC composites. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers

Photodegradation profiles of PVC compound and wood/PVC composites under UV weathering

“…Distilled water was used as the wetting liquid. Further details of the experimental procedure can be obtained elsewhere [23].…”

Effects of biocide treatments on durability of wood and bamboo/high density polyethylene composites against algal and fungal decay

“…and thermoplastic resin [polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)] . Chemical additives, such as coupling agents, lubricants, heat stabilizers, UV stabilizers, flame retardants, and biocides, are often added to extend the service life of WPC products . Due to their excellent properties, cost‐effectiveness, good durability, and easy customization, WPC materials find wide range of applications in many fields, such as buildings, automotive, packaging, siding, car interior parts, furniture, construction industries, and infrastructure products …”

“…However, appearance of black spots, algal colonies as well as wet spots, as a result of algal decay, on surface of WPCs and make it look unattractive accompanied by fading of color . In addition, some abiotic agents such as UV light, moisture, soil, freeze‐thaw, temperature and oxygen also affect and contribute to the damage of the WPC materials . In general, deterioration of physical and mechanical properties of WPCs is a result of the combination of aforementioned biological agents and abiotic factors.…”

“…[1][2][3] Chemical additives, such as coupling agents, lubricants, heat stabilizers, UV stabilizers, flame retardants, and biocides, are often added to extend the service life of WPC products. [4][5][6][7] Due to their excellent properties, cost-effectiveness, good durability, and easy customization, WPC materials find wide range of applications in many fields, such as buildings, automotive, packaging, siding, car interior parts, furniture, construction industries, and infrastructure products. 1,7 In the early stage of application, WPCs were generally considered to be highly resistant to biological attack due to the encapsulation of wood fiber by thermoplastic, which decay rates were much slower than those in solid wood.…”

“…14,15 In addition, some abiotic agents such as UV light, moisture, soil, freeze-thaw, temperature and oxygen also affect and contribute to the damage of the WPC materials. 4,9,18,[21][22][23][24][25][26] In general, deterioration of physical and mechanical properties of WPCs is a result of the combination of aforementioned biological agents and abiotic factors.…”