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Presentation Outline
Introduction to Wood Plastic Composites Historical Development Milestones in Commercialization Technology Status Benefits of wood plastic composites Applications Future markets & business opportunities
Definition
Wood Plastic Composite ( WPC )
Any composite that contains wood & thermoset or thermoplastic Thermoset : Epoxy , Phenolics Thermoplastics: PE, PP, PVC, PS
Introduction
First Generation WPCs
Recycled woodchips / flour & binder Designed for undemanding applications
Introduction
The new generation WPCs are produced by mixing wood flour or fiber & plastics to produce a material that can be processed like a conventional plastic & has the best features of wood & plastic
Plastic Lumber
Recycled Plastics Extruded profiles May / may not include wood flour Application Sleepers on rail roads
Historical Perspectives
1900 : Bakelite ( Gear shift knobs for Rolls Royce) 1920: Birth of the WPC industry
1990 1991
Highly filled WPC extruded profiles& shapes 50 % WF/PE for deckboards, picnic tables etc
WF reinforced PVC sub sills for French doors & window lines
1993
Andersen Corporation
Material
Virgin & recycled
End-Use
Exterior building components Automotive Profiles Building profiles & decking & windows
PP
Virgin
PVC
Virgin
Extrusion of WPCs
Tailor-made lubricants Non stearate & compatibilizer package Special HALS Antimicrobials Blowing agents
Wood Filled PP
Application Benefits
Improved dimensional stability - increased strength Lower processing temperatures - less energy used Increased heat deflection temperature - reduced thermal expansion Up to 30% reduced cycle time for injection moulded products - increased productivity Approximately 10 - 20% lower specific gravity - lighter products Reduced shrinkage - lower internal shear in pultrusion application
1.27
1.27
1.15 1.1 1.1 1.05 1 Wood Flour (AWF - 4020) Talc Calcium Carbonate Fillers Fiberglass
5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 0.0 20 30 40 50 2.2 3.8 3.2
4.5
60
% Wood Filler
Material
Flexural Modulus
48 96 276 138
Ram extrusion of PP / wood filled creates light weight wood-like material, even stronger than wood
Polypropylene Developments
Wood Filled Repol PP for Door Trims
USA: 50 % growth rate of WPCs for building products ASTM Standards for building products based on WPCs Automotive : 15 % growth rate
Summary
The future of wood plastic composites will ultimately depend on many factors; including new product identification, product quality, consumer perception & performance of these materials !