A comprehensive, practical guide to wood-plastic composites and their properties This is the first book that presents an overview of the main principles underlying the composition of wood-plastic composite (WPC) materials and their performance in the real world. Focusing on the characteristics of WPC materials rather than their manufacture, this guide bridges the gap between laboratory-based research and testing and the properties WPC materials exhibit when they're used in decks, railing systems, fences, and other common applications. Complete with practical examples and case studies, this guide: Describes compositions of WPC materials, including thermoplastics, cellulose fiber, minerals, additives, and their properties Covers mechanical properties, microbial resistance, water absorption, flammability, slip resistance, thermal expansion-contraction, sensitivity to oxidation and solar radiation, and rheological properties of hot melts of WPC Covers subjects that determine esthetics, properties, performance, and durability of wood-plastic composite products Includes comparisons of different ASTM methods and procedures that apply to specific properties This is a comprehensive, hands-on reference for scientists, engineers, and researchers working with wood-plastic composites in plastics and polymers, materials science, microbiology, rheology, plastic technology, and chemical engineering, as well as an outstanding text for graduate students in these disciplines. It's also an excellent resource for suppliers and WPC manufacturers, and an accessible guide for developers, homebuilders, and landscape architects who want to know more about wood-plastic composites and their performance in the real world.

A comprehensive, practical guide to wood-plastic composites andtheir propertiesThis is the first book that presents an overview of the mainprinciples underlying the composition of wood-plastic composite(WPC) materials and their performance in the real world. Focusingon the characteristics of WPC materials rather than theirmanufacture, this guide bridges the gap between laboratory-basedresearch and testing and the properties WPC materials exhibit whenthey're used in decks, railing systems, fences, and other commonapplications. Complete with practical examples and case studiesthis guide:* Describes compositions of WPC materials, includingthermoplastics, cellulose fiber, minerals, additives, and theirproperties* Covers mechanical properties, microbial resistance, waterabsorption, flammability, slip resistance, thermalexpansion-contraction, sensitivity to oxidation and solarradiation, and rheological properties of hot melts of WPC* Covers subjects that determine esthetics, propertiesperformance, and durability of wood-plastic composite products* Includes comparisons of different ASTM methods and proceduresthat apply to specific propertiesThis is a comprehensive, hands-on reference for scientistsengineers, and researchers working with wood-plastic composites inplastics and polymers, materials science, microbiology, rheologyplastic technology, and chemical engineering, as well as anoutstanding text for graduate students in these disciplines. It'salso an excellent resource for suppliers and WPC manufacturers, andan accessible guide for developers, homebuilders, and landscapearchitects who want to know more about wood-plastic composites andtheir performance in the real world.

Introduction 1Part I: What's All the Buzz about Woodworking 7Chapter 1: Discovering the Basics of Woodworking 9Chapter 2: Wood You Be Mine? Appreciating Wood for AllIt's Worth 15Chapter 3: Putting Safety First in Your Workshop 37Part II: Tool Time: Selecting and Setting Up Your Equipment47Chapter 4: Gearing Up: Choosing Tools That Are Right for You49Chapter 5: Getting a Handle on Hand Tools 57Chapter 6: Peeking at Portable Power Tools 81Chapter 7: Introducing the Big Guns: Stationary Power Tools99Chapter 8: Setting Up your workshop and Maximizing Your Tools117Part III: Together Forever: Basic Wood Joinery 137Chapter 9: Stuck on You: Using Adhesives and Glues 139Chapter 10: Working with Wood Joints 147Chapter 11: Making the Most of Mechanical Fasteners 179Part IV: getting Your Hands (and Shop) Dirty: Turning RawWood into Furniture 185Chapter 12: Understanding the Building Process 187Chapter 13: Banging Out Bookcases 201Chapter 14: Tackling Tables 227Chapter 15: Creating Cabinets 259Part V: The Grand Finale: Sanding and Finishing YourMasterpiece 295Chapter 16: Smoothin' It Out by Sanding and Filling297Chapter 17: Adding Color: Stains and Paints 305Chapter 18: Protecting Your Work with Topcoats 313Part VI: The Part of Tens 323Chapter 19: Ten Great Habits to Get Into 325Chapter 20: Ten Common Woodworking Pitfalls and How to AvoidThem 329Chapter 21: Ten Great Woodworking Resources 335Index 339