The feasibility of using recycled plastic and wood particles from chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood removed from
service was investigated in this study. CCA pressure-treated red pine lumber removed from service after 21 years utilization was Wiley
milled to wood flour and blended with virgin or recycled high-density polyethylene at 50:50 wood flour-to-plastic weight ratios. The
blended materials were compression molded into panels and the physical and mechanical properties characterized. Samples containing
particles from recycled CCA-treated pine exhibited flexural bending properties higher than those made with either particles from virgin
pine or recycled urea formaldehyde bonded particleboard. The higher modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture from CCA-treated
material were attributed to the increased thermal coefficient of the solid deposits rich in copper chromium and arsenic present in the cell
wall of the recycled CCA-treated wood. The biological durability and the photo-protection properties were improved for samples
containing recycled CCA-treated wood.
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