Thermoplastic Plywood at Moderately Increased Thermal Conditions

IRG/WP 16-40735

R Réh, M Guoth

New thermoplastic plywood material so-called GradaTM manufactured by UPM has vast potential in production of wooden products with new approach of manufacturing. This paper examines possibilities of including GradaTM material in skateboard deck production as a large use of plywood type construction in this manufacturing sector. Bending strength (BS) and tensile strength perpendicular to the surface (TS) at the moderate heat up of this material are presented, specifically BS at 30, 40 °C and TS at 30 °C. All increased temperatures are compared to the room temperature (20 °C). Mechanical properties that were obtained from the test are modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rapture (MOR), bending tension (RE) respective to implied fiber prolongation (AE) and stroke strain (AB) respective to tension at the breakage point. The results show the undesirable level of changes of mechanical properties when the material is moderately heated and thus makes it more arduous for an implementation of this material in skateboard industry. However the future research and development of GradaTM may change this claim.


Keywords: plywood, thermoplastic plywood, mechanical properties, skateboard, heating

Conference: 16-05-15/19 Lisbon, Portugal


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