Wood Plastic Composite
Wood fibres and thermoplastic (polymer) elements are combined to create the composite material known as wood-plastic composite (WPC). Due to its special qualities and benefits, this relatively new building and construction material has grown in popularity recently.
What Is Wood Plastic Composite?
Using a combination of thermoplastic resins and wood fibres, wood-plastic composite (WPC) is a form of composite material. In the building sector, it is frequently used as an alternative to conventional wood materials for a range of exterior applications, including decking, fence, and cladding.
Wood fibres, plastic resins, and additives are commonly mixed together to create WPC, though its composition might vary. While the plastic resins are frequently created from recycled resources like polyethylene or polypropylene, the wood fibres used in WPC are typically generated from scrap wood products or sawdust.
Production of WPC
WPCs are created by fully combining heated thermoplastic resin and pulverised wood powder. Although injection moulding is also employed, extruding material into the required shape is the most used production technique. High-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polystyrene (PS), and polylactic acid can all be used to make WPCs (PLA). The majority of WPCs are by far PE-based. Colorants, coupling agents, UV stabilisers, blowing agents, foaming agents, and lubricants are among the additives that assist customise the finished product to the intended application. WPCs that have been extruded can be made into hollow or solid profiles. Also, a wide range of injection moulded components, including everything from cell
