The market for wood-fibre plastic composites(WPCs)is expanding worldwide and the exterior wood market is the main target for WPCs in Japan.However,colour change,chalking and dimensional change of WPCs in outdoor conditions are serious problems for their exterior use.Weatherability of WPCs was assessed by natural and accelerated weathering trials.Discolouration(whitening)of WPCs by weathering was caused by degradation of wood and plastic.Dark colour pigments as additives improved colour stability of WPCs,however,chalking on the surfaces still happened.Grafting of light stabilizers to woodflours decreased discoloration of WPCs.WPCs were finished with exterior coatings after weathering and the results showed that specimens weathered for longer periods before finishing were in better condition because of the large amount of coatings on the surfaces.
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