The durability of wood polymer composites against fungi and insects

New materials such as wood polymer composites are used more in France. These materials are obtained by mixing wood and thermoplastics in different ratios. These kind of material must be considered as new materials and some characteristics such as durability must be evaluated for outdoor applications. On the other hand, some recycled fibers from wood waste could be used as raw materials. Some woodpolymers have been made in order to prepare some profiles by extrusion process. The wood species used as reinforced materials are beech, spruce, jaboty and limba. The thermoplastics used are recycled polyvinylchloride, polyvinylchloride and polypropylene. 'The mechanical and physico-chemical properties of some profiles have been characterised. The durability of these wood polymer composites has been evaluated. Significant results on durability against wood-decaying fungi and insects as termites are presented. (Résumé d'auteur