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Wood Plastic Composite Decking Manufacturing Process
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What are WoodWhat are Wood--Plastic Composites (WPC)?Plastic Composites (WPC)?
Combination of Wood-Plastic
Thermoplastic- HDPE, LDPE, PP, PVC
Wood Flour- 20 to 60 mesh- Pine, Oak, Maple
Lubricants, Pigments, Coupling agents, other additives
Technology
Extrusion, Injection or Compression molding
Pre-Compounding
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How are How are WPCsWPCs manufactured?manufactured?
Logs, Chips, Shavings, etc.
Hammermill
Wood Flour
Blended
Extruded
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General Manufacturing FlowGeneral Manufacturing Flow
Resin Silo
Wood Flour SiloCompounder or Blender Extruder Die Calibrator Spray Cooling
Cut-off SawEmbossing
Brushing
PullerStacker
Chiller
Extruding System
Resin Silo
Wood Flour SiloCompounder or Blender Extruder Die Calibrator Spray Cooling
Cut-off SawEmbossing
Brushing
PullerStacker
Chiller
Extruding System
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Dried, Compounded, ExtrudedDried, Compounded, ExtrudedPre-dry Wood Flour (<2%)Dry Blend ComponentsTwin-Screw Extruder
Compounding
Source: Milacron Inc.
Vent
Compression
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Typical Extrusion LineTypical Extrusion LineWood Materials & Engineering LaboratoryWSU, Pullman, WA
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flexible manufacturingdoes not cater only to economies of
scalelow capital investment
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www.wpcinfo.orgMaintained by Wood Materials and Engineering Laboratory (www.wmel.wsu.edu) at Washington State University