PREDICTING FREEZE-THAW DETERIORATION IN WOOD-POLYMER COMPOSITES

Author(s): K.M. Hess, W.V. Srubar III
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference
on Bio-Based Building Materials
Editor(s): Sofiane AMZIANE, Mohammed SONEBI and Karine CHARLET
ISBN:
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-192-6
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2017
Pages: 543-548
Total Pages: 6
Language : English

Abstract: Natural fiber-reinforced polymers are currently used in a variety of low- to high-performance
applications in the automotive, packaging, and construction industries. Previous studies have
demonstrated that natural fibers (e.g., flax, hemp) exhibit good tensile mechanical properties and
have positive environmental and economic attributes such as low cost, rapid renewability, and
worldwide availability. However, natural fibers are inherently susceptible moisture-induced
changes in physical and mechanical properties, which can be unfavorable for in-service use.
This study illustrates how a micromechanics-based modelling approach can be used to help
facilitate durability design and mitigate the deleterious effects of freeze-thaw deterioration in
wood-plastic composites (WPCs). The model described in this study predicts the critical fiber
volume fraction (Vfcrit) at which damage to the composite will occur under certain environmental
conditions for different WPC formulations of hardwood and softwood fiber reinforcement and
polymer matrix types. As expected, the results show that Vfcrit increases (a positive result) as
anticipated in situ moisture content decreases. In addition, results suggest that fiber packing
distribution directly influences Vfcrit and that Vfcrit increases as the mechanical properties of the
polymer matrix increase. In sum, the study demonstrates how predictive modeling can be
applied during the design phase to ensure the durability of WPCs.

Online publication :2017
Publication type :full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00