Accelerated Weathering Effects on Bulk Interfacial Strength of Wood and Thermoplastics

Model composites of birch (B) and rubberwood (R) dowels and 5 types of thermoplastics, namely low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), were used to evaluate the effect of weathering conditions on the bulk interfacial shear strength (ISS) of wood-plastic composites using a modified single-fiber pull-out test. Results showed that HDPE, PP, PS, and HIPS were more sensitive to the cyclic humidity tests, while LDPE was less influenced by either the water immersion or cyclic-humidity changes.