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Plastic Lumber
This site will address the following topics:
Recycled plastic lumber - US Plastic Lumber - Company lumber
plastic
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Decking lumber plastic
If you have hesitated to build a deck because of the problems associated
with traditional hardwood, for instance, warping, splintering, rotting,
cracking and degrading are all common characteristics of traditional
hardwood, then it is time to rethink that project.
Recycled plastic lumber solves all of these problems and is cost competitive
based on reduction of maintenance costs.
Equipment to manufacture plastic lumber can be obtained from Cierra
Industries Inc. of Auburn NY
Plastic Lumber's Qualities
Other positive characteristics of plastic lumber are the facts that,
unlike wood, it will not:
In fact, plastic lumber is:
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denser than wood
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virtually maintenance free
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long lasting (50 years plus, depending on the application)
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stain resistant
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graffiti-proof
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waterproof
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UV resistant
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aesthetically pleasing (most plastic lumber has a wood-grained finish)
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impervious to insects
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not affected by exposure to most substances
Plastic lumber also:
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works with any deck fastener
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requires no painting or sealing (plastic lumber is available in almost
any color and some wood-composite plastic lumber can be painted as if it
were wood)
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provides a good shock-absorbing surface for pedestrian traffic, such as
runners and hikers
What is Plastic Lumber ? There are a wide variety of different
types of plastic lumber available. The base product is made of recycled
plastic: 100% recycled High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE is used to
make anything from shampoo and detergent bottles, to milk jugs. Some
plastic lumber is made entirely of HDPE, which comes in a variety of
molded-in colors. For instance, the Adirondack chair pictured below is
made from 240 recycled plastic milk jugs. Other types of plastic lumber
use composites, which consist of a mixture of recycled HDPE with wood
fibers, rubber, fiberglass, or other plastics. Depending on the brand and
the application, plastic lumber composites are available for those needing
a stronger material, or for those wanting a long-lasting alternative to
wood, but with the paint ability of traditional hardwood lumber.
Equipment to manufacture plastic lumber can be obtained from Cierra
Industries Inc. of Auburn NY
ASTM standards for plastic
lumber
ASTM International has played an
important role in creating standardized, material-appropriate testing methods
for recycled plastic lumber and developing purchasing specifications.
Recycled-Plastic
Lumber Standards: From Waste Plastics to Markets for Plastic-Lumber Bridges
(Dec. 2001) highlights ASTM International's efforts to develop the
industry-consensus, performance-based standards that have contributed to market
acceptance of recycled-plastic lumber (RPL) in structural
applications.
StandardsFollow these links to a free summary of the ASTM
standards. Each reference includes information on how to purchase the full
standard.
D6108-97
Standard Test Method for Compressive Properties of Plastic Lumber and Shapes
D6109-97
Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced
Plastic Lumber
D6111-97
Standard Test Method for Bulk Density and Specific Gravity of Plastic Lumber and
Shapes by Displacement
D6112-97
Standard Test Methods for Compressive and Flexural creep and Creep-Rupture of
Plastic Lumber and Shapes
D6117-97
Standard Test Methods for Mechanical Fasteners In Plastic Lumber and Shapes
D6341-98
Standard Test Method for Determination of the Linear Coefficient of Thermal
Expansion of Plastic Lumber and Plastic Lumber Shapes Between -30 and 140°F
(-34.4 and 60°C)
D6435-99
Standard Test Method for Shear Properties of Plastic Lumber and Plastic Lumber
Shapes
D6662-01
Standard Specification for Polyolefin-Based Plastic Lumber Decking Board
f you have further questions please address them to
pvan123@aol.com.
Questions concerning equipment for plastic recycling equipment or plastic
lumber will be answered as soon as possible.
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