Last Updated on February 7, 2024 by Flavia Calina
If you’re looking for a construction material that will last longer and is resistant to water damage, you should look into structural plastic lumber. This innovative material is made from recycled materials and has a much longer lifespan than natural wood.
It also requires no splintering and is resistant to moisture, rotting, insects, and weathering.
Strength
Structural plastic lumber is composed of recycled materials, so it is a green product that minimizes environmental impact. It is also more durable than natural wood and resists rot and insect infestation. It is an excellent substitute for conventional wood framing and may be used for sheathing and framing.
The strength of plastic lumber depends on the type of plastic used and the manufacturing process. It can be made from various virgin or waste plastics, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). It can also have fiberglass added to increase its strength.
While it may have a higher initial cost than wood, it is far more cost-effective in the long run. Additionally, it can be joined together more quickly than wood and can withstand chemicals. The material is also lightweight, reducing the amount of weight that needs to be lifted and carried by workers on construction sites.
Durability
In addition to its long lifespan, plastic lumber resists rot, mold, insects, and fungus. It also does not splinter or require painting. For these reasons, it can save construction companies money and time. It is an excellent option for homes in hurricane-prone areas, where traditional lumber is more prone to damage.
However, it is essential to note that plastic lumber has yet to be designed for load-bearing applications. That is because it has a low modulus of elasticity and can creep easily.
To address this issue, the inventors have developed a new composite material made of recycled post-consumer plastic materials and a thermosetting polymer. This combination provides the structural properties of wood while avoiding the disadvantages of natural wood, such as its high thermal expansion and contraction rates. The material is easy to work with and can be cut, sawed, nailed, and drilled like organic wood. It is also available in various colors, allowing it to be used for multiple purposes.
Recyclability
While it is possible to make structural plastic lumber from recycled HDPE, PVC, PP resins, and virgin polymers, these non-reinforced products have insufficient stiffness for load-bearing applications. This lack of stiffness is due to the lower modulus of elasticity, which causes these materials to creep more efficiently than wood.
The stiffness of plastic lumber can be increased by adding short glass fibers to the reprocessed polyolefin used in its manufacture.
This patent describes a method of making plastic lumber from waste polyolefins that can be molded to resemble construction lumber closely. The patent also teaches how to test the plastic lumber for its strength and stiffness. However, existing tests for virgin plastics are unsuitable for testing plastic lumber because they assume a high degree of uniformity and homogeneity of the feedstock material. This assumption is only sometimes valid for recycled plastics.
Cost
Structural plastic lumber is more expensive than traditional wood. However, it saves money in the long run because it doesn’t rot or require maintenance and replacement as often. It’s estimated that the lifespan of plastic lumber is several times that of natural wood.
Purified mixes of recycled HDPE (high-density polyethylene). Mostly from post-consumer trash like plastic milk and detergent bottles, are used to make plastic timber. These are mixed with proprietary strengthening additives, UV-inhibited pigments, anti-oxidant processing aids, and foaming agents.
The resulting material is easy to work with, machinable, and can be cut, drilled, or nailed, just like natural wood. It can also be customized to any color. Additionally, it doesn’t leach chemicals that pollute surface and groundwater. Ultimately, this is a sustainable solution that can save forests, reduce the cost of building projects, and create a more environmentally friendly society. The best part? It’s also cheaper than concrete and metal. Read more exciting articles on Today World Info
