EXPLORANDO LOS COMPUESTOS DE MADERA Y POLÍMERO: UNA REVISIÓN SISTEMÁTICA VISUAL DE LA COMPOSICIÓN, PRODUCCIÓN Y PROPIEDADES

This systematic review investigates recent advances in wood polymer composites (WPCs), focusing on their composition, processing methods, and physical-mechanical performance for potential structural and sustainable construction applications. Using the adapted Systematic Search Flow methodology, the study analyzed the composition, manufacturing strategies, and physical-mechanical performance of 283 distinct WPC formulations reported in 134 research articles. Extrusion, whether applied independently or in combination with other techniques, emerged as the dominant process for thermoplastic-based WPCs, enabling continuous production and high throughput. Polypropylene (PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) were the most common matrices, typically reinforced with lignocellulosic fillers that enhance stiffness and strength, although often at the cost of increased water absorption, a drawback effectively mitigated by compatibilizing agents. Statistical analyses of tensile, flexural, and water absorption data, presented through detailed graphical representations, serve as a key strength of this work, functioning as powerful visual tools to highlight trends, compare formulations, and facilitate the interpretation of results. The review underscores the versatility of WPCs in addressing environmental challenges such as plastic waste and deforestation, while also highlighting critical gaps in long-term durability, the effects of recycling cycles, and the harmonization of performance benchmarks in international standards. The study concludes that WPCs, when optimally formulated and processed, offer high potential for applications such as decking, facade panels, and modular structural elements, and that aligning future developments with sustainability principles and global standardization will be key to expanding their adoption in engineering and construction sectors.