Article Application of Laboratory Fungal Resistance Tests to Solid Wood and Wood–Plastic Composite

article was Written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and if is therefore in the public domain and not subject to copyight. The use of bade or firm names in this publication is for reader infomation and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture of any product or service. This paper is based on a talk given at SPE's ANTEC 2002.] The fungal resistance of high density polyethylene filled with 50 % wood flour was investigated using laboratory soil block tests. Modifications to standard test methods were made to increase initial moisture content, increase exposure surface area, and track moisture content, mechanical properties, and weight loss over the exposure period. Mechanical properties decreased after 12 weeks exposure to Gloeophyllum trabeum and Trametes versicolor. However, irreversible damage due to water sorption made separating the effects of fungal attack and water sorption difficult. When compared on a dry basis, small weight reductions after fungal exposure suggest some attack by G. trabeum. Further modifications to test methodology are suggested