Hygro-mechanical effect is a general term applied to all phenomena that involves interaction between moisture content and mechanical characteristics of hygroscopic materials by analogy to thermo-mechanical effects. The hygromechanical effects include (but are not limited to) free shrinkage/swelling, effect of moisture on elastic modulus, strength, creep, failure mechanisms, and mechano...
Wood plastic composites (WPCs) are composite materials made from thermoplastic polymers, wood flour, and a small amount of process- and property-enhancing additives; they are principally used in the automotive industry and as secondary building materials. Although the WPC market is expected to keep growing, it is still relatively small when...