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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.
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Plastic Lumber Has Some remarkable Qualities, Unlike Wood: |
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plastic lumber will not:
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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 (up to 50 years plus)
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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
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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
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For Example, Decking Plastic Lumber!
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
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
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If 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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