Thermal performance and optical properties of wood–polymer composites

Abstract

The thermal performance and optical properties of wood–polypropylene composites made from untreated wood material with and without metal-containing pigments, and composites made from heat-treated wood material were studied. The thermal heat buildup and linear shrinkage were determined. The impact of the optical properties of the surface of the composites on the heat buildup was analysed. The wood–polypropylene composites made from untreated wood without pigment were found to have the lowest heat buildup; a similar composite containing grey pigment had the highest heat buildup. The linear shrinkage of the studied wood–polypropylene composites was in the range 0.05–0.16%.