Effect of weathering on Surface properties of HDPE-based wood plastic composites

In this study, Effect of weathering on Surface properties of HDPE-based wood plastic composites was investigated. The variable factors were titanium dioxide nanoparticles content (0, 1, 2 and 3%), raw material type (heat treated wood and untreated wood) and photo stabilizer (0 and 1%). Lightness index (L*) and color changes (∆E) were investigated after 0, 500, 1000 and 1500 hours weathering. Chemical changes and surface deterioration that occurred due to weathering were also analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before and after 1500 hours weathering. Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) of WPCs showed that carbonyl index increased and wood index decreased after weathering. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) also showed that weathered samples experienced surface deterioration. Wood plastic composites containing titanium dioxide nanoparticles, thermowood (heat treated wood) and tinuvin 328 (photo stabilizer) showed less surface cracks after weathering compared to control sample. Carbonyl index and wood index changes of samples containing titanium dioxide nanoparticles, thermowood and tinuvin 328 decreased after weathering compared to control sample. The results also showed that lightness index and color change of samples increased after weathering. The color stability of WPCs was improved by using of wood plastic composites containing titanium dioxide nanoparticles, thermowood and tinuvin 328.