Short term creep properties of WPC at different temperatures—An experimental and numerical investigation at different stress levels

Abstract

AbstractUsing a two‐step molding process, wood plastic composite (WPC) were prepared under temperatures ranging from 160 to 180°C. Uniaxial compression tests of WPC were conducted at temperatures of −20°C, 0°C, 20°C, and 40°C, determining stress levels of 30%, 45%, and 60% based on the test results. Subsequently, 24‐hour compression creep tests were performed for WPC under 12 different conditions. The Findley power law model was employed to fit the experimental results, indicating that creep deformation increased with both stress level and environmental temperature. Notably, specimens at 0°C failed after sustaining a load for 13.6 hours at 60% stress, while those at 20°C failed after only 0.72 hours under the same conditions. Overall, the Findley model effectively predicted the creep behavior of WPC under all temperature conditions and stress levels.Highlights The influence of temperature variation on the strength of WPC. Short term creep of WPC under different stress levels. Creep of WPC at different temperatures. Prediction of creep performance under different operating conditions.