What Is Meant By Wood Plastic Composites?

Wood Plastic Composites are made of thermoplastics infused in wood flour/ wood fiber in the form of composite material.

WPC contains some additives also, most of which are invisible except for pigments and mineral fillers. These additives enable integration of wood flour and polymer and ensure smooth integration in the processing.

WPC can also contain other organic fillers than wood flour like ligno-cellulose. WPC is one among a category of Natural Fiber Plastic Composites (NFPC), which contains organic fillers like peanut hulls, pulp fibers, straw, bamboo, etc.

WPC is a relatively new material compared to lumber which is the traditional favorite. Most common use of WPC in North America is for outdoor decking but is now being used for furniture, windows, doors, fences, railing, landscaping, siding and cladding. It can be molded without or with simulated wood grain finish

WPC is made by thoroughly combining thermoplastic resin that is heated and ground wooden particles. Most widely used method of production is extrusion of material into shape desired, though some use injection molding.

Some benefits and negatives of WPC which you can find from wood plastic composite board manufacturers are:

·         WPC can resist corrosion, marine borer attack, decay and rot. However wood fibers do absorb moisture.

·         They have fine workability and can be used to create objects through traditional tools of wood working.

·          It is considered as a sustainable material as it is made by using waste products of wood industry and recycled plastics. But plastic and wood in composite form are difficult to recycle. But they can be recycled into a new WPC, much like concrete.

·          WPC is better than wood as it can be shaped into any form. It can be fixed and bent to create strong arching curves.

·         WPC also does not need to be painted. They are available in a variety of colors but most common are earth tones and grays.

·         In spite of over 60% cellulose content, mechanical behavior of WPC is akin to neat polymers. The quality of neat polymers is that they can be polymerized, avoiding addition of solvents.

·         WPC has a lower stiffness and strength than wood. As such, they encounter temperature and time dependant behavior.

·         Material is subject to fungal attack, but not as much as wood.

·         Polymer content is also subject to damages due to UV radiation.

These are some aspects about WPC which point to some positives and some negatives.