Effects of fungal decay on properties of mechanical, chemical, and water absorption of wood plastic composites

This study investigated the associations between wood species and fungal resistance, as well as the effects of fungal decay on the properties of mechanical, chemical, and water absorption of wood polypropylene composites (WPCs) filled with white poplar, moso-bamboo, Chinese fir, Ramin, white pine, and rubber wood. Experimental results on weight losses and surface morphology both showed that fungal resistance of WPCs varied significantly with wood fiber species. Chinese fir and rubber wood filled composites separately presented the most and least durability againstCoriolus versicolor(white rot) andPoria placenta(brown rot). In addition, fungal decay produced great differences in the properties of mechanical, chemical, and water absorptions between non-decayed and decayed composites. The decayed composites showed lower MOR, tensile strength, and impact strength, as well as higher MOE and water absorptions compared with non-decayed samples. These findings suggest that fungal decay could bring out dramatic influences on various properties of WPCs.