Weathering of wood-polypropylene composites containing pigments

• Outdoor applications of composites have raised questions about their durability. In this study, the effects of outdoor weathering on the properties of wood-polypropylene composites with and without pigments were examined. The composites were placed outdoors for one year, and their colour changes were evaluated after 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of weathering. The durability of the composites was assessed by testing flexural strength and density. Scanning electron microscopy was applied to evaluate the surface degradation of the composites. The weathering resulted in considerable colour fading of the composites. The composites containing darker colour pigments had better colour stability. After weathering, the general trend was a decrease of the flexural strength and density of the composites. The decrease in flexural strength was found to be lower for the composites having higher density.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Industriell bioteknik -- Biomaterial (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Industrial Biotechnology -- Bio Materials (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)