A comparative analysis of the hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS) and UV abosrber (UVA) and their respective photostabilizing effect on wood plastic composites (WPCs) are reported in this study. The influence of accelerated weathering on the mechanical properties of the composites and the microscopic morphology of a degraded layer on the cross section and the surface were studied. UV absorbers were more efficient at preventing composite lightening than was UV stabilizer. The amount of whitening decreased with the increase of photostabilizers. With the addition of a UV absorber (Tinuvin360), the tensile modulus and strength of the composites increased slightly. However, the addition of a light stabilizer (Tinuvin770) and a UV absorber decreased the tensile modulus and strength of the composites. After 250 and 500 hr exposure, tensile modulus and strength of the un stabilized and stabilized composites decreased. The tensile strength of UV absorber (Chimassorb81)-stabilized composites was significantly greater than that of control and light stabilizer (Tinuvin770)- and UV absorber (Tinuvin360)-stabilized composites. UV absorber-stabilized samples showed less whitening and photodegradation than control and light stabilizer-stabilized samples.

• Sun-Young Lee