Serviceability analysis of wood-plastic composites impregnated with paraffin-based Pickering emulsions in simulated sea water-acid rain conditions

In order to enhance the serviceability of sorghum straw/polyvinyl chloride composites in simulated sea water-acid rain conditions, paraffin-based Pickering emulsions stabilized by attapulgite particles were prepared as an anti-corrosion coating of the composites, and a worst-case simulated sea water and acid rain corrosion scenario was employed. The results showed that Pickering coating can have superior leaching resistance in the sea water-acid rain conditions. The coated composites had higher water-resistance and hardness than non-coated composites. The presence of Pickering coating resists the degradation effects of simulated corrosion through better water-resistance and hardness, as well as better mechanical and wear properties of the composites. Prior to the corrosion, the thermal stability of the composites was slightly reduced due to the presence of paraffin, while after 12 d corrosion, Pickering emulsions endowed the coated composites with higher thermal stability than non-coated composites.