Effect of teak wood on recycled HDPE/pine wood composites subjected to termite attack and accelerated weathering.

This study investigates the effect of incorporating teak wood flour (TW) into recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE) wood-plastic composites (WPC) containing pine wood flour (PW) on resistance to termite attack and accelerated weathering. Using a factorial experimental design, the research measured weight loss and termite mortality, finding that WPC with higher teak content exhibited reduced weight loss and increased termite mortality, attributed to teak’s extractable compounds with termiticidal properties. Surface analyses via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed that accelerated weathering caused microcracks exposing wood particles, facilitating termite degradation, while teak’s chemical composition, including higher hemicellulose and conjugated quinones, contributed to greater durability. The results suggest that adding teak wood flour enhances the biodegradation resistance and potentially extends the service life of WPC products compared to those made solely with pine wood flour.