Wear behavior of wood–plastic composites in alternate simulated sea water and acid rain corrosion conditions

Abstract

To investigate the effect of alternate simulated sea water and acid rain corrosion on the wear resistance properties of wood–plastic composites, sorghum straw fiber-reinforced polyvinyl chloride (SPVC) composites prepared through extrusion molding were studied. The most detrimental alternating corrosion parameters were evaluated with the orthogonal design method, and the samples were then processed considering superimposed corrosion with the worst parameters. The results show that the worst alternating corrosion parameters were: sea water salinity 3.5% × sea water temperature 55 °C + acid rain pH 2.5 × acid rain temperature 55 °C. Longer alternating corrosion periods resulted in worse physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the SPVC composites, a PVC matrix that was more easily softened in the frictional environment, and fibers more easily pulled-out to form abrasive particles. Debris of broken or pulled-out fibers moving with high-speed in a high-temperature and high-load frictional contact environment can cause severe abrasive wear.