FEATURES
■ Manufactured to tolerances specified by customers.
■ Material is easily machined with tools appropriate for working with real wood.
■ Essentially maintenance free, with exceptional resistance to moisture, fading, insects,
splintering, warping and other hazards of environmental exposure common to wood or wood fiber
composite products.
■ Requires no waterproofing, staining or other recurring maintenance. The material is easily
cleaned with an occasional washing with soap and water.
■ Manufactured with color stabilizing UV pigment systems that resist breakdown from prolonged
sun and weather exposure. American Plastic Lumber HDPE retains its new look for years.
■ It is possible that the material may fade slightly over the service life of the product.
However, the fading is minimal compared to most wood and wood composite products that contain wood
fibers that fade quickly to a weathered gray color when exposed to the elements.
| Property |
ASTM
Method |
Units |
Value |
| Specific Gravity |
D6111 |
Lbs cubic in |
0.0216-0.0275* |
| Water Absorption |
D570 |
% |
< 0.1 |
| Modulus |
D6109-03 |
Psi |
117,000 |
| Secant Modulus 2.1% Strain |
D6109-03 |
Psi |
86,000 |
| Stress @ 3% Strain |
D6109-03 |
Psi |
1,598,000 |
| Coefficient of Linear Expansion |
D6341-98 |
In/in ° f |
0.000064 |
| Screw Withdrawal |
D6117-97 |
Pounds force |
703 |
* Lower density may occur in larger cross sections
** Testing performed on samples of 2"x6" nominal size |
SUITABILITY AND LIMITATIONS
These products have greater impact resistance than wood but are less rigid. Prior to use, a
thorough design engineering study should be performed to determine the suitability of American
Plastic Lumber HDPE for your non-structural application. Material characteristics are similar to
wood; normal woodworking tools can be used during product fabrication. One should be advised that
transforming the product by drilling holes or routing its edges may alter the material's strength and
integrity. Normal safety precautions must be used when handling and fabricating the product including
the use of protective eyewear, dusk masks and gloves. (See MSDS sheet for more details) American
Plastic Lumber HDPE products have an inherently greater coefficient of thermal expansion than
stiffer wood products. When designing your application, an accommodation must be made to allow for
this expected expansion and contraction over the length and width of the product.
In certain weather conditions, it is possible to experience the effects of static electricity
with American Plastic Lumber HDPE material, especially when the material is new. This is similar
to the static shocks experienced when walking across a carpet in dry weather and touching a metal
doorknob. We do not warrant against static electricity, as it is a natural phenomenon and not a
sign of a product defect.
As with any exterior surface material, winter conditions can make an American Plastic Lumber
HDPE surface slippery with frost or snow. Fortunately, it is completely safe to use rock salt or
other melting agents on American Plastic Lumber HDPE without damaging the material.
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TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
American Plastic Lumber HDPE is well suited for exterior applications where quality appearance,
reinforcing properties and superior weather resistance are required. American Plastic Lumber HDPE
maintains its color stability and surface finish over its entire useful service life, and never
needs to be sealed, painted or stained.
American Plastic Lumber HDPE is used by a number of commercial applications and industries
including casual furniture, site amenities, playground equipment, agricultural materials, spa & pool
products, golf course amenities, marine applications and more.
WARRANTY
The manufacturer of the American Plastic Lumber HDPE product offers a limited warranty that
this product will not rot, splinter, decay or suffer structural damage directly from termites or
fungal decay under normal use. American Plastic Lumber does not recommend or approve this product
for all end use applications. The appropriate national and local code authorities should be consulted
for safety, suitability and applicability for intended use prior to purchasing product.
(See Full Warranty Details)
This guideline and summary is intended to provide the distributor, installer and end user with
basic guidelines and technical specifications for designing and properly installing the American
Plastic Lumber HDPE products. However, the finished product manufacturer, installer and/or purchaser
are solely responsible for interpreting specific job conditions, and determining the engineering
design and suitability of end use and application of any American Plastic Lumber HDPE product.
Adherence to applicable building and safety codes for specific locations and applications of this
product are the sole responsibility of the installer and/or purchaser. In no event shall American
Plastic Lumber, the manufacturer of the American Plastic Lumber HDPE products, be liable for labor,
installation, and re-installation or for any indirect, punitive, exemplary or consequential damages
of any kind whatsoever from the provision of this information.
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