Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
Wood-plastic composites have been produced utilizing a phenol-formaldehyde pretreatment of the wood. The use of additives to cross link the plastics and increase the interfacial bond between the wood and plastic were also investigated. These preliminary results suggest that pretreatment of the wood with a thermosetting resin may increase the stiffness of the composite. The use of an octylphenol as a plastic compatabilizer did not reliably increase stiffness in this system, although additional study is warranted. An interaction between the wood and the polystyrene in the plastic mixture may be indicated.