Astra Enviroslat is an extruded timber replacement product made from a mix of plastic (recycled and virgin) and reclaimed cellulose fibre (wood sawdust / rice husk). It was invented in the USA in the late 1980’s/early 1990’s and has been evolving ever since. Originally designed as a substitute for certain types of timber it is now produced and sold all over the world.
Astra Enviroslat can be classed as 100% recycled/reclaimed. Only the shell layer is made from virgin polymers. A small amount of colour pigment, UV inhibitor and other chemicals are added to the recycled products to ensure a highest-quality final product.
Enviroslat uses high grades of post-industrial recycled polyolefin (HDPE plastic) as well as virgin polymers, hardwood wood flour, rice husks, pigments, UV inhibitors and fungicides. In the harsh Australian environment, solid Enviroslat composite is preferred due to the low moisture absorption and superior profile strength / design.
Enviroslat has a fungicide added in the formula that helps to reduce the risk of mould growing within the material under normal conditions. Due to the ability of mould spores to be transported in the air it is important to keep the surface free of dirt and other contaminants to reduce the incidence of mould growth.
Breakdown of Material Content:
1. Reclaimed cellulose fibre (wood/bamboo/rice husk) = 55%
2. HDPE (post industrial waste) including plastic bottles but not limited to = 35%
3. Additives (virgin polymer shell, colour pigment, UV inhibitor, fungicide etc) = 10%
Features, Benefits & Advantages:
- Environmentally sustainable and cost-effective as an alternative to traditional timber.
- Colour full depth throughout the material, no staining or painting needed (although it is paintable if desired).
- UV stable - colour softens after the first few months of weathering and then retains its general look year after year.
- Dimensionally stable - will not cup or crack.
- Easily cut and drilled – does not splinter.
- Low water absorption.
- Rot proof.
- Termite proof.
- Is not excessively hot in the sun due to the combined properties of wood and plastic.
- Maintenance free – no polishing or painting.
- Actual detailed performance over time is dependent on the level of exposure to the weather. Product is maintenance free for years and years.
- Scratches are not a problem – marks can be sanded off without losing the general colour.
Weight per length 40x30 x 1800mm = 2.7kg
Mechanical Properties
- Water absorption, (ASTM D1037-06a) = 0.31%
- Coefficient of thermal expansion mm/mm/deg C (ASTM D6341-10) 5.6 x 10 -5
- Impact Resistance [ASTM D4495-00 (2005)] >89J
- Density g/cm3 (ASTM D792-08) 1.25- 1.30
- Fire Properties (AS1530.3)
Ignitability : 14
Spread of flame : 2
Heat evolved : 3
Smoke developed : 4
Australia
Hong Kong SAR
Indonesia
Malaysia
New Zealand
Philippines
Singapore
