DuraPack

Durawood Plastic Lumber is made from high density polyethylene (HDPE), prime pigment systems, UV-inhibitors, and selected process additives. The HDPE raw material used to make Durawood comes from post-consumer bottle waste such as milk containers. This material is cleaned to a purity level of over 99% HDPE. It is then compounded into rigid board stock material, the resulting finished product containing over 90% recycled content by weight.

Durawood is manufactured in continuous extrusions in many dimensional lumber sizes and can be made to virtually any length. Many natural wood tones are stocked in lengths of 8', 12' and 16'. Colors include cedar, weathered redwood, grey, dark brown, light oak, green, white and black.

Because Durawood is made from one type of purified polymer, it is manufactured to exacting, reproducible specifications. It has exceptional resistance to moisture, corrosive substances, insects and other environmental stresses. It does not absorb moisture; therefore, it will not rot, warp, splinter or crack. Additionally, Durawood requires no water-proofing, staining or similar maintenance when used in many exterior applications.
Durawood has excellent weathering resistance; however, as with other polyolefins, it is possible that the material will fade slightly over the service life of the product. Accelerated weathering tests in accordance with ASTM E838 indicate that Durawood is very color stable, with a reflectance (D) of 0.91 on a scale of 0-100 after approximately 1 million Langleys of exposure (about 3 years in most of North America). Both color stable pigments and physical property additives are used in the product to provide the best weathering resistance.

Basic Uses á Durawood is used in many conventional wood lumber applications, and is often the product of choice for exterior applications where weathering resistance and low maintenance are required.
When used in commercial, governmental and residential applications, Durawood is well suited for decking, flooring, furnishings, fencing, docks and marine products, lawn and garden items, bridges, playground equipment, sound and traffic barriers, etc.

Installation á The product can be fabricated and installed with the same tools used to work wood lumber. Durawood will cut, drill and rout very cleanly, as there is no grain to split or chip. It is not necessary to pre-drill the plastic lumber when fastening. Screws offer the best form of attachment; however, nails and staples may also be utilized in some applications.

When installing Durawood, design consideration should be given to expansion and contraction. This material will expand and contract more than wood lumber; for example, a six foot beam will expand in the length dimension approximately 1/4". To determine the effect of temperature change for a specific application, use the formula: .00007 x length of board in inches x degrees Fahrenheit of temperature change = inches of expansion or contraction in the length dimension.

Information á The product is impervious to paint and most adhesives; therefore, these materials are not recommended for use with Durawood. The product has a melt temperature of approximately 270¼F and a flash point of approximately 620¼F. It has a higher flash point than wood, and it must be exposed to a severe combustion source for a longer period than wood to ignite. But like wood, when exposed to a combustion source for a long enough period, it will burn. Should flame occur, the extinguishing media should be dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide or water spray; water should be applied with a fogging nozzle. Additionally, flame retardant grades of Durawood can be compounded when required.

Technical Services á Technical, specification and application information is available from USPL by calling 312.491.2500 or by email. Prints may be sent via fax to 312.491.2501.