Production and properties of a new wood laminated veneer/high-density polyethylene composite board

Abstract

The paper aimed at evaluating the feasibility and the properties of a new product which combines wood veneer and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) from post-consuming plastic bags. Three HDPE amounts were evaluated: 150g/m2, 250 g/m2 e 350 g/m2. The boards were manufactured using a single-opening hot-press under such conditions: 140°C, for 20 minutes and pressure of 1 N/mm2. It was found that the production of this kind of composite board is technically possible and relatively simple and they did not present any veneer delamination. The properties of the composite boards were quite similar or even higher to those found in LVL made using thermosetting resin. The higher the HDPE amount the higher the density of the composite board, which imparted significantly in mechanical properties. However, when the composite boards were evaluated under same density the effect of the HDPE amount affected only Janka hardness.