Tensile Strength of Composite Materials

TABLE 8.6 Tensile strength values for actual composite deck boards, determined using ASTM D 198 or D 638, parallel to the length (or as indicated). Data are reported by the manufacturers or by the author. Data on wood are given in [2] or by the author s measurements  

Tensile strength of HDPE generally decreases when filled to become HDPE-based composite materials. Tensile strength moves from 2900-4400 psi (neat HDPE) to 800-2800 psi in composite materials. 

Likewise, tensile strength of polypropylene decreases when filled with 40-mesh ponderosa pinewood flour (0-60% w/w) and continues to decrease when filled with 70-85% of Lignocel C 300 (wood fiber, particle size 200-300 pm, granular size 3-8 mm). It goes down from 4060 psi for neat polypropylene to 2900 psi for 60% wood-flour-filled PP to 1300 psi for 85% Lignocel-filled PP [3]. 

Moisture significantly decreases the tensile strength of polypropylene-based WPC with high wood flour content. Eor example, for 80%-substituted polypropylene, the tensile strength decreases from 2400 psi (zero moisture content) to 860 psi (25% 

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Shen CH, Springer GS (1981) Effects of moisture and temperature on the tensile strength of composite materials. In Springer GS (ed) Environmental effects of composite materials. Technomic, Lancaster, PA, pp 15-33... 

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