Evaluation of High Density Polyethylene composite filled with Bagasse after Accelerated weathering follow by biodegradation

Wood plastic composites (WPCs) have many applications as structural and non-structural materials. Adding wood flour to polymer will not only improve its mechanical properties, compared to net polymer, but also will lead to products with moldability characteristics. As the outdoor application of Wood Plastic Composites (WPCs) becomes more widespread, the resistance of these products against weathering, particularly ultraviolet (UV) light, and biodegradation becomes more of concern. In present study, composites from bagasse and high density polyethylene, with and without pigments, have been made through extrusion and gone through accelerated weathering for 1440h, then weathered and non-weathered samples were exposed to fungal and termite resistance tests. The chemical and surface qualities of samples were studied by means of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, colorimetric, contact angle and roughness tests after weathering. After fungal and termite resistance tests, color changes and weight loss were observed. The results have indicated that using bagasse as filler can relatively reduce the discoloration of weathered samples. Moreover adding pigments into WPCs can reduce effects of weathering by reducing surface oxidation. However, it cannot affect the biodegradation after weathering. Despite of high resistance of samples against biological attack, weathering can enhance the termites and fungal attack on the surface and can cause surface quality loss.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Source International Conference on Biobased Materials and Composites (ICBMC'12)
Author Darabi, Peyvand, Naghi Karimi, Ali, Thévenon, Marie-France, Gril, Joseph
Maintainer CCSD
Last Updated May 13, 2026, 16:54 (UTC)
Created May 13, 2026, 16:54 (UTC)
Identifier hal-00796702
Language en
contributor Mécanique de l'Arbre et du Bois (MAB) ; Laboratoire de Mécanique et Génie Civil (LMGC) ; Université de Montpellier (UM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Montpellier (UM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
coverage Marrakech, Morocco
creator Darabi, Peyvand
date 2012-02-22T00:00:00
harvest_object_id 4de59a25-da7b-401d-b625-67e409a4e1db
harvest_source_id 3374d638-d20b-4672-ba96-a23232d55657
harvest_source_title test moissonnage SELUNE
metadata_modified 2026-02-13T00:00:00
set_spec type:COMM