Statistical Analysis of the Quality of the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Wood Plastic Composites.
Keywords:
WPC, WPCR, ASTM D6108, Quality, Composite materials, Coefficient of variationAbstract
This study evaluates the quality of two commercial plastic woods in Quito: virgin plastic wood (WPC) and recycled plastic wood (WPCR). Test specimens were prepared in accordance with ISO 2818, and compression (ASTM D6108), moisture (BS EN 322), and water absorption (ASTM D570) tests were performed. For moisture and absorption, n = 3 specimens per material were tested, while for compression only n = 1 was used. Results indicate that WPC exhibited higher compressive strength (38.342 MPa) and modulus of elasticity (1,280.900 MPa) compared to WPCR (22.024 MPa; 742.910 MPa). In contrast, WPCR displayed more ductile failure behavior and lower variability in absorption (CV 4.29% vs. 39.17%) and moisture (CV 17.18% vs. 21.21%). Given the limited sample size in the compression tests, the mechanical findings should be regarded as preliminary. It is therefore recommended to increase the number of replicates and to emphasize consistency (CV) as a key parameter in quality control.
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