University of Tennessee
Tennessee Forest Products Center
Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries
2506 Jacob Dr
Knoxville, TN 37996-4570
865-946-1125
Wood plastic composites (WPC) are high-value products that represent a new and growing market for wood waste materials. Examples of WPCs that are currently available include decking lumber, fencing, window frames and interior paneling used in automobiles. Currently, the wood component in WPCs is principally used as a low-cost filler and information on the effects of varying wood species on WPC’s processing and properties is limited. This project will enhance the state of knowledge of WPCs and the role of wood raw material properties.
The primary goal of this project is to promote the use of eastern hardwood species for use in wood plastic composites.
Objectives include:
1.) Establish a baseline data on the suitability of various wood species from the eastern hardwood region as feedstocks for wood plastic composites. Parameters of interest will include the effects of wood species on the processing and properties (strength, stiffness, durability) of extruded wood plastic composites.
2.) Increase knowledge of the growing wood plastic composite industry and the new opportunities for wood products manufacturers in this area.
wood plastic composites, eastern hardwoods, black walnut, black locust, red oak, hckory, yellow-poplar, black cherry, gum, red cedar
US Forest Service Grant
$ 70,257
Cooperative Funding
$ 78,302
Total
$ 148,559
In this project, wood plastic composites were made with wood from various eastern hardwood species to see if the inherent properties of different wood species impact the properties of wood plastic composites (WPCs). The results indicated that a wide variety of wood can be used to make WPCs with acceptable mechanical properties. Furthermore, species with valuable properties such as interesting color or natural resistance to fungal attack passed on these properties to the composite when they are incorporated into WPCs. A series of scientific journal articles were written describing these results. See attached final report for details.
For detailed results of this project, please see the references below.
