Effect of fungal infection on physico-mechanical resistance of thermally-treated wood/pp composites

The objective of this research is to study the effect fungal decay on mechanical and physical characteristics thermally treated wood flour-plastic composites. First, chips (Fagus orientalis L.) were for 30 120 minutes at three various temperatures (120, 150, 180 °C) under saturated vapor in a steaming vessel they ground (40 60 mesh size) by wily mill machine. Then polypropylene (PP), beech flour, MAPP as compatibilizer used melt compounding injection molding process. Decay resistance, modulus rupture, elasticity, notched Izod impact strength, moisture sorption, swelling thickness after 2 h 24 soaking distilled water WPCs measured prior being infected wood-degrading fungus (Coriolus versicolor) 6 weeks. rupture strength increased sorption decreased higher treatment time temperature. composite samples produced using heat-treated °C had least mass loss. reduced incubation with fungus. Moreover, results showed that all formulations unrotted specimens significantly lower than white-rotted specimens.