Properties of Flat Pressed Veneered Wood Plastic Composites

The process of two-sides veneering of flat pressed wood plastic composites (WPC) was studied in this study. The pressing and veneering of WPC were making simultaneously. Rotary-cut birch veneer with thickness of 1.5 mm and sliced oak veneer with thickness of 0.5 mm were used for veneering. Polyethylene (PE) film, recycled low density polyethylene (rPE) particles and phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin were applied for veneer gluing. The ratio of wood particles to rPE was 60: 40 for the making of WPC. Any coupling agents were used for the production of WPC. It was found that veneering of WPC improved their properties. The modulus of rupture (MOR) was improved in 1.9-2.6 and 7.9-10 times across and along veneer fibers respectively for both types of investigated veneer. The highest values of MOR were observed in WPC panels veneered with rotary-cut birch veneer. However, the water resistance of veneered WPC was reduced in comparison with non-veneered. The veneering of WPC enables significantly to improve adhesion properties of veneered surfaces of WPC for their further finishing. In addition, the veneering of WPC hides the surface defects and provides a uniform application of different paints, varnishes and films to the surface of such materials.