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This study investigates the feasibility of using recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) and wood fiber from species Eucalyptus grandis (EU) to manufacture experimental composite panels. The use of maleated polyethylene as coupling agent (CA) improved the compatibility between the fiber and plastic matrix. The mechanical properties of the resultant composites were compared with polymer with and without compatibilizer. The influence of the coupling agent (CA) in the polymer matrices and composites were evaluated at different concentrations, checking the physical, mechanical and thermal properties of wood plastic composites (WPC). Results of mechanical, physical and thermal properties showed that concentration of 3% w/w CA in the polymer matrices was that which showed the best results, but in the composites properties were very similar in all formulations. Based on the findings in this work, it appears that recycled materials can be used to manufacture value-added panels without having any significant adverse influence on material properties.

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The effects of natural weathering on the visual appearance and chemical changes of wood plastic composite (WPC) formulations based on post‐consumer polypropylene/ethylene vinyl acetate (PP‐EVA) matrix were investigated. The WPC composition used was 70/30 (w/w) (recycled PP‐EVA/wood flour). Besides, the effectiveness of using coupling agent on adhesion of WPC and its influence in degradation were evaluated. Colorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, mechanical test, and biodegradation in simulated soil after natural weathering were used in this research. The results showed the samples with longer exposure time to natural weathering presented significant color change, increased in carbonyl index, and wood loss on weathered WPC surfaces. Weathered WPC exhibited decreased in mechanical properties, higher mass loss after biodegradation test when compared with no weathering WPC, reaching to 15.0% mass loss against 3.7%, respectively. Climatic conditions directly affect the characteristics of all composites, thus indicating a significant photo‐oxidation of the samples with a longer time of exposure to weathering, and this natural ageing has facilitated the WPC biodegradation. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:571–582, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers

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