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Change in key mechanical properties from postprocess hot pressing of commercial wood-plastic composites with different fibre contents

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Abstract

Wood-plastic composites contain a high proportion of wood fibres with a reduced dependence on mineral oil. In addition to decking boards, linear façade panels are also frequently produced. The thermoplastic matrix enables subsequent forming under heat for the creation of three-dimensional façades, which offers new design options. To date, in previous studies, effects from the extrusion process itself on essential product properties have been reported; e.g. the maximum extrusion temperature must not exceed 210 °C to protect the wood fibre, and higher compound compaction increases material strength. However, the conditions and effects from later reheating for the purpose of reshaping existing profiles into curved elements have rarely been addressed. This study investigates how intensively decisive application-specific mechanical properties change after postprocess hot pressing under different combinations of temperature, heating duration and pressing force. Comparative tests were carried out on two commercially available WPCs with different wood contents. The flexural strength of both sample types reacted most sensitively to heat, followed by the stiffness modulus, which was significant only for the high-fibre type. A longer heating time at a lower temperature, on the other hand, counteracted the loss of strength. The impact resistance hardly changed, and the Brinell hardness was not affected at all. With regard to fastener withdrawal, both WPC types showed contrasting behaviour. Overall, the results indicate an effective use of postprocess hot pressing of WPCs in façades with partwise significant but calculable changes in WPC properties.

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Acknowledgements

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors. The author gratefully acknowledges the collaborative work with Prof. Dr. Rosemarie Wagner, Institute of Architecture at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), where he conducts further research in the topic of this paper.

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  1. Faculty of Civil Engineering, Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University Mosbach, Neckarburkener Straße 2-4, 74821, Mosbach, Germany

    Daniel Friedrich

  2. Compolytics Research, Schwanheimer Straße 69, 74867, Neunkirchen, Germany

    Daniel Friedrich

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Friedrich, D. Change in key mechanical properties from postprocess hot pressing of commercial wood-plastic composites with different fibre contents. Polym. Bull. 80, 4263–4288 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-022-04251-w

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