Evaluating durability of thermoplastic wood composites against basidiomycetes and development of a suitable test design

Abstract

Wood polymer composites (WPC) consist mainly of wood particles from non-durable softwoods. From experience in service life and laboratory testing it is known that WPC is not fully resistant against biological attack. Concerning durability testing, it is difficult to reach sufficient moisture content for fungal growth in the time frame of testing. Furthermore, the interpretation of test results is difficult, since the mass loss is measured but strength loss might be more important during service life. The relation between mass loss and strength loss is not deeply explored so far. Additionally moisture uptake causes an irreversible strength loss of WPC. Considering these problems a new test method for investigating the resistance of WPC against basidiomycetes is described in prEN 15534-1. In this paper, several test methods were carried out regarding their suitability for durability testing of WPC. The tests included various pre-wetting methods. After durability testing the mass loss and changes in strength and stiffness were evaluated. The results have shown that pre-wetting according to EN 84 is suitable to increase the moisture content. Furthermore strength and stiffness loss is higher than mass loss. The loss in mechanical properties is based on moisture uptake as well as fungal decay.