Forming Challenges of Extruded Wood Plastic Composite Products in a Post-Production Process

Abstract Wood Plastic Composites (WPC) have developed rapidly in recent years and are experiencing fast market growth. Such products can include recycled polymers and fibers as material ingredients. The majority of the product shapes are currently limited to simple deck profiles. Expensive injection molding is the most commonly used method of manufacturing for more complex geometries. The forming pressure and the press cycle length can be reduced in the press forming method with a simpler and less expensive toolset. This article investigates the effect of key forming parameters and related challenges in press forming of WPC sheets pressed into circular shaped specimens. From the results, it can be determined that the forming temperature and dwell time play a major role in forming process.