EFFECTS OF WOOD AND BARK FLOUR CONTENT OF PINUS RADIATA ON THE ACCELERATED DECAY OF WOOD-PLASTIC COMPOSITES

Composites of wood and bark of Pinus radiata-recycled low polyethylene (RLPE) were submitted to accelerated decay using white and brown rot fungi. These WPCs were obtained by injection molding without chemical additives at proportions: 100-0%, 80-20%, 60-40% and 40-60%. Accelerated decay tests were conducted according to ASTM D-2017-05, using a brown rot fungus (Gloeophyllum trabeum) and a white rot fungus (Pleurotus ostreatus), during 3 months, under controlled conditions. After that, percentage of weight loss of each type of composite was determined. The results shown that the biodegradation of composites increased with increasing of flour in the mixture being higher in brown rot fungus (Gt) than in white rot fungus (Po) treatment. Bark flour had higher susceptibility to biodegradation in comparison with the wood flour.