Effects of extractives on mechanical properties and durability of rubberwood-HDPE composites

Abstract

AbstractIn this study, the effects of rubberwood extractives on the mechanical properties and fungal decay resistance of rubberwood-based wood plastic composites (WPCs) were explored. Three different solvents, benzene-ethanol, methanol, and deionized water, were used to remove the extractives of the rubberwood flour (RWF). The surface topographies of the prepared rubberwood-based WPC and the rubberwood itself were characterized using digital instruments and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that the mechanical properties of the WPC prepared using extracted RWF were higher than those of the WPC prepared with unextracted RWF. The sequences of resistance to the growth of mold on the surface of the WPC were ranked as follows: deionized-water-extracted WPC > methanol-extracted WPC > benzene-ethanol-extracted WPC > unextracted WPC. The WPC made with extracted RWF had better brown-rot resistance and worse white-rot resistance than the unextracted WPC. These results demonstrate that the removal of rubberwood extractives has a positive effect on the mechanical properties and mold and fungal decay resistance of rubberwood-based WPCs.