Optimization of a Wood Plastic Composite to Produce a New Dynamic Shading System

Abstract

The shading systems of the windows may play a protagonist role in the reduction of energy consumption in lighting, artificial ventilation and air conditioning, contributing to sustainable development regarding bioclimatic architecture and improvement of the energetic efficiency in buildings. This work, resulting from a partnership between architecture and materials science, reports the development of an innovative and dynamic shading system that simultaneously fulfils various aesthetic, functional and environmental requirements. The original design of the system, derived from this collaboration, enables an industrial low cost production in virtue of the selection of technologies and materials concurrently adequate to multiple objectives. This work also aims at contributing to a sustainable construction through the use of eco-friendly materials such as biocomposites produced from recyclable polymers and vegetable fibres, using extrusion as processing technology both for blending the raw materials and for the shutter units production. The optimization of materials for this specific application involved wood plastic composites (WPC) based on high density polyethylene (HDPE), industrial residues of pine sawdust and additives such as coupling agents, pigments and UV protectors. Results showed that the optimized WPC made from recycled industrial pine wood residues presents thermal stability, mechanical strength and water absorption appropriate to be applied in the production of the new architectural solutions such as the innovative shading system presented.