Effects of solvolysis wood additives on weatherability of wood plastic composites（WPCs）

Abstract

Wood plastic composites (WPCs) were manufactured with additives that were prepared by wood solvolysis. Effects of these additives on the weatherability performances were evaluated. The additives were prepared by two types of solvolysis solvent: hydrophilic polyoxyethylene and hydrophobic long chain fatty alcohol. WPCs (polypropylene/wood flour) were manufactured with various amounts of the additives by extrusion molding. A xenon weather meter was used for accelerating wethering tests and weatherability was evaluated by color change, chalking resistance and changes in surface properties. The results showed that weatherability of WPCs could be improved because of suppressing chalking by adding solvolysis wood that has hydrophobic side chains.