Forest Products Laboratory

Title: Outdoor durability of wood-polymer composites

Author: Stark, N. M.; Gardner, D. J.

Date: 2008

Source: Wood-polymer composites. Cambridge, England : Woodhead Publishing, Ltd. ; Boca Raton, FL : CRC Press, 2008. Woodhead Publishing in materials: Pages [142]-165.

Description: Wood-plastic composite (WPC) lumber is promoted as a low-maintenance, high-durability product (Clemons, 2002). However, after a decade of exterior use in the construction industry, questions have arisen regarding durability. These questions are based on documented evidence of failures in the field of WPC decking products due to such impacts as polymer degradation (Klyosov, 2005), wood decay (Moms and Cooper, 1998), and susceptibility to mold which negatively impact the aesthetic qualities of the product. The industry has responded to problems associated with first-generation products by improving WPC formulations. Manufacturers have also made great strides in making more reasonable claims and in educating consumers on the proper care and maintenance of WPC products to maintain the aesthetic quality of the surface finish. Research groups throughout the world are working toward a fundamental understanding of WPC durability that will help improve and/or identify new strategies for protecting WPCs. WPC durability will continue to be an important subject regarding the use of these products in building construction and other related applications in the field.

Keywords: Insect pests, ultraviolet radiation, molds, wood-decaying fungi, composite materials, moisture, wood-plastic composites, biodegradation, deterioration, weathering, failure, decay fungi, moisture content, wood decay, durability, wood-plastic materials, resistance to decay

View and Print this Publication (1.0 MB)

Publication Notes: 

• We recommend that you also print this page and attach it to the printout of the article, to retain the full citation information.
• This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain.

 Get the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat reader or Acrobat Reader for Windows with Search and Accessibility

Citation

Stark, N. M.; Gardner, D. J.  2008.  Outdoor durability of wood-polymer composites.   Wood-polymer composites. Cambridge, England : Woodhead Publishing, Ltd. ; Boca Raton, FL : CRC Press, 2008. Woodhead Publishing in materials: Pages [142]-165..