Light stabilizers added to the shell of co-extruded wood/high-density polyethylene composites to improve mechanical and anti-UV ageing properties.

ABSTRACT: Weathering of wood--plastic composites (WPCs) leads to discoloration and cracks, which greatly limits their outdoor application. In this study, light stabilizers (including UV-327, HS-944 and nano-SiO2) were added to the shell of a co-extruded high-density polyethylene-based WPC to improve its anti-ultraviolet (UV) ageing properties and simultaneously to maintain its good mechanical properties. The results showed that UV-327 was the most effective light stabilizer for improving the mechanical and anti-UV ageing properties of the composites among the three stabilizers used. WPC samples combined with 2% UV-327 had the highest retention rates in flexural strength and also had the smoothest surface after 2500?h of UV ageing. The samples with 2% UV-327 added had the best protection for discoloration, showing the lowest values of ?E* (colour difference) and ?L* (luminescence) in all samples after 2500?h of UV ageing. WPC samples with 2% UV-327 were also oxidized the least after 2500?h of UV ageing. The results reported herein serve to enhance our understanding of the efficiency of light stabilizers in preventing UV degradation of WPCs, with a view to developing co-extruded WPCs with low cost, high anti-UV ageing properties and good mechanical properties for outdoor applications.

SUBMITTER: Liu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5990811 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature