Recycled Plastic Lumber

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Contents 1 Material analysis 1.1 Traditional uses 1.2 Emerging uses / trends 1.3 Types of RPL 1.4 Surface forms / shapes 1.5 Cost analysis 2 Material properties 2.1 Primary structural use 2.2 Material performance 2.3 Dimensional and opening restriction 2.4 Acoustic property 2.5 Manufacturing process and assembly 3 Environmental impact 3.1 LEED 4 Life Safety & Rating Standards 4.1 Flammability rating 4.2 Coefficient of friction 5 References 5.1 Notes 5.2 Student contributions 6 See also 6.1 Similar materials 6.2 Building references 7 External links 7.1 Additional resources 7.2 Leading manufacturers

Material analysis

MasterFormat Number: 00 00 00

Traditional uses

• Agricultural. Vine stakes, ranch fences, gates, animal stalls.
• Civil Engineering. Retaining walls, sound barriers, car stops, walkways, railings.
• Gardening. Fences, flower pots, compost bins.
• Industrial. Flooring, pallets, truck flooring.
• Recreational. Park benches, picnic tables, playground equipment, informational kiosks, wetlands walkways,decking, park bridges, flower bed borders.
• Transportation. Noise barriers, sign posts, guard rail offset blocks, car stops, speed bumps.
• Marine Engineering. Piers, pilings, seawalls, and bulkheads, boat docks.
• Other. Roofing shingles or "cedar shakes."

Emerging uses / trends

• RPL has only been used in a few structural applications. However, it is an excellent material for decking, landscaping, and recreational equipment.

Types of RPL

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) RPL

• This type of RPL consists of up to 95 percent of HDPE (The same material used to make plastic milk jugs).
• Advantages. Available in many colors. Well suited for decking and landscape applications.
• Disadvantages. Much lower stiffness than wood. Also, material sorting increases labor costs.

Commingled RPL

• Commingled RPL is made from mixed recovered thermoplastic (plastic that can be remelted and remolded).
• Primarily consisting of 80-90 percent polyethylene (PE).
• Advantages.Lowest cost because sorting is reduced or eliminated. Also well suited for decking and landscape applications.
• Disadvantages. Only earth tone colors available in addition to having a stiffness much lower than wood

Wood-Filled RPL

• Wood-filled RPL is made of plastic mixed with sawdust or other recycled fiber, usually a mix of 50 percent polyethylene (primarily low-density polyethylene or LDPE) and 50 percent sawdust or other recycled fiber.
• Advantages. Fewest voids, best traction, best paintability, greater surface roughness.
• Disadvantages. Can absorb moisture, may have poor impact strength under low temperatures, may not be completely insect resistant, may become discolored in outdoor applications, may contain metal contaminants, much lower stiffness and strength than wood, can degrade, poor flexibility.

Fiber-Reinforced RPL

• Fiber-reinforced RPL consists of plastic mixed with chopped or continuous strands of glass fiber.
• Advantages. Stiffer than other plastic lumber. Well suited for support structures.
• Disadvantages. Less flexible than other plastic lumber, and may irritate skin.

Other Combinations of Materials

• Many other combinations of materials are possible, each with different properties, costs and applications. They should be investigated individually to determine the best product for its intended use. Some other formulations include:

• Glass-reinforced plastic lumber.
• Rubber-plastic lumber.
• Mixed plastics and peanut shells.
• Coextruded steel liner (e.g., metal pipe).
• Coextruded steel reinforcing rods.
• Multiple laminations of oriented HDPE.
• Reinforced concrete fill.
• Cross linking of PE molecules by thermoset processes

Surface forms / shapes

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Cost analysis

• Purchasing Costs

RPL currently has a higher purchase price (initial cost) than virgin wood, but usually lasts longer than wood. When maintenance, replacement, and life cycle costs (materials + installation + disposal) are included in the analysis, RPL products can cost less than wood if the structure is designed properly. Also, plastic lumber is recyclable at the end of its useful life. Purchase prices of RPL are expected to decrease as technology improves and demand increases. Wood prices are expected to continue to increase.

• Price / CuFt:
• Price / SqFt:

Material properties

Primary structural use

• Recycled Plastic Lumber has only been used in a few structural applications at this time. It is a good source of material for decking, landscaping, and recreational equipment.

Material performance

• RPL is clean, nontoxic, and nonporous, and lasts longer than wood.
• In addition, all types except wood-filled RPL have the following advantages over wood:

• Moisture and chemical resistant.
• Graffiti resistant.
• Splinter free, does not crack.
• Does not need sealants or preservatives.
• Colored throughout, does not need paint.
• Impervious to insects.
• Flexible, can be curved and shaped.
• Maintenance free.
• Does not absorb bacteria.

Dimensional and opening restriction

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Acoustic property

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Manufacturing process and assembly

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Environmental impact

• Recycled Plastic Lumber can be recycled at the end of it's life.
• Saves money for local governments and other purchasers by lowering long-term maintenance costs.
• Diverts plastic waste from landfills.
• Reduces wood waste, especially treated wood waste.
• Helps local governments meet their goal of reducing landfill disposal by 50 percent by the year 2000.

LEED

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Life Safety & Rating Standards

Flammability rating

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Coefficient of friction

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References

Notes

Student contributions

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See also

Similar materials

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Building references

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External links

Additional resources

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Leading manufacturers

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