Due to its strength and gorgeous beauty, WPC wood has been in great demand. But in this essay, we’ll examine the production and application of WPC wood .
WPC wood
Wood strands, fibers, or boards are joined to create WPC wood. It is frequently referred to as wood-plastic composite (WPC), manufactured board, or engineered wood when made of thermoplastics and wood fibers. Utilizing lignin-rich resources including hemp stalks, sugar cane waste, rye, and wheat straw, composite goods made of plant-based fibers are produced. Polymer and wood flour can be combined by adding chemicals.
Where does WPC wood come from?
WPC wood is made from the same hardwoods and softwoods that are used to manufacture lumber, but instead of using wood waste and sawmill scraps, it is created by mixing crushed wood particles with heated thermoplastic resin. Some people combine and process the ingredients to create pellets, which are then re-melted and molded into the desired shape. Others create the completed product utilizing a one-step mixing and extrusion method.
The most widely used thermoplastics are those made of polyethylene and can be either virgin or recycled. Additional components like UV stabilizers, colorants, coupling agents, and lubricants can be added to create a product that is perfectly suited to its function. Then, shapes that are both solid and hollow can be created.
Types of WPC wood
Two varieties of WPC wood exist.
plywood
Plywood, the first WPC wood product, is created by heating sheets of cross-laminated veneer and joining them using adhesives that withstand moisture. Another is fiberboard, which is made by heating and applying high pressure to a mixture of synthetic resin and wood chips or sawdust. In the meanwhile, wax and a resin binder are pressed into wood chips or sawdust to make particleboard.
Oriented strand board
Oriented strand boards are made from wood strands arranged in layers and attached with moisture-resistant adhesives. They are then cross-oriented to provide the panel strength and stiffness. Laminated timber is created by combining dimensional timber into structural columns or beams, as opposed to laminate veneers, which combine thin wooden veneers into a large billet that may be used for rafters, beams, columns, and joints.
Usage of WPC wood
In building projects, WPC wood products are widely used in place of steel joists and beams. They may be applied to a variety of tasks, including building both homes and businesses. However, outdoor deck flooring is where they are most often employed. Additionally, they are frequently used for landscaping projects, fences, benches, window and door frames, railings, and cladding. Although it may be utilized in most circumstances where solid wood would normally be used, WPC wood is also favored for flat-pack furniture because of its low production costs and lightweight qualities.
How Wood and composites different?
- Wood
Wood is one of the most often used building materials. There are several types of wood, and each has benefits and drawbacks. It is employed in construction for a variety of tasks, such as the production of beams, posts, fences, flooring, hardscaping, and landscaping, to name a few. Wood is still commonly utilized nowadays because of its sturdiness, affordability, and availability.
- Composite
A coating of plastic is added to wood to create composite, often known as plastic wood. It’s a very new concept that first emerged in the early 1990s. But because of all of its advantages, it quickly gained popularity. It may be used in constructions in place of wood, and vice versa. The most popular use for plastic-wood is the production of WPC materials.
Conclusion
The best substitute to genuine wood is WPC wood. It has a strong woody mood and is adaptable enough to be tailored to certain requirements. However, as their underlying manufacturing technology develops, the future looks bright.