Surface Characterization of Weathered WPCs Produced from Esterified Wood Flour

摘要

This study examines the photodegradation of wood-plastic composites (WPC) made from modified wood. Wood modification by esterification was employed to improve the photostability of the wood and therefore the WPC. High density polyethylene (HDPE) based WPC made from esterified wood fibers (untreated, acetate, propionate, and benzoate) were subjected to accelerated xenon-arc weathering. Color and chemical changes that occurred on the weathered WPC surface were analyzed using colorimetry and FTIR spectroscopy, respectively. From this study, benzoated wood based WPCs experience lowest color changes and oxidation, then followed by WPCs made from propionated, acetylated, and unmodified wood.