Plastic Lumber

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Index

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Introduction:

Plastic recycling is becoming economically viable in a number of areas. Many products are being produced using recycled ground-up thermoplastic parts. Marine decks, boardwalks, decks, bulkheads, boat trailer runners, agricultural trailer flooring, pallet boards, outdoor benches and tables, playground equipment, landscape timbers, planter boxes, trash receptacles, parking lot bumpers, air conditioner pads etc.

"Plastic lumber" can be used in place of new wood lumber in some applications.

Process:

uses most of the plastic manufacturing processes

Advantages

  • Large, heavy parts can be manufactured at low prices
  • Impervious to rot, insects, fungus and organic solvents
  • Not affected by direct and continuous contact with sea salt water or animal urine
  • Resists UV degradation and fading
  • Can be cut, nailed, bolted, screwed and drilled with traditional wood working tools

    • Disadvantages

  • Good part detail and definition not possible
  • Quality of raw material is not consistent
  • In many cases, incompatibilities between plastics make recovery impractical

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    Kodak Equipment Manufacturing Division. (KEMD)

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