Mechanical properties of wood flour/HDPE/ionomer composites

The structure and mechanical properties of wood flour composites with HDPE/ionomer blends as matrices were studied at a fixed wood loading of 60% by weight. It was found that toughness and strength properties of the composites can be improved significantly by adding ionomers of different types and contents. The enhancement in the interfacial interaction was observed through short-time creep analysis. The interfacial interaction and the structure of the matrix phase were characterized through the melting behavior using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and with small strain oscillatory tests on the melts using a Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer. Both the sodium and zinc ionomers were found to be immiscible with the HDPE in matrix. The immiscible characteristic was correlated with the interfacial load transfer efficiency as revealed by the creep tests.     

离子聚合物改性木粉/HDPE复合材料流变特性

为了提高木塑复合材料（WPC）的加工流动性能,利用离子聚合物改性WPC,通过HAAKE Minilab微量混合流变仪研究了离子聚合物改性木粉/高密度聚乙烯（HDPE）的毛细管流变特征。结果表明：添加与未添加离子聚合物的木粉/HDPE均为非牛顿流体中的假塑性流体,均呈现出“剪切变稀”的效应;随着钠离子聚合物含量的增加,改性木粉/HDPE的剪切应力和表观黏度均随着剪切速率的增大呈现降低的趋势,表明钠离子聚合物的加入可以显著改善聚合物熔体的流动特性;添加4wt%的钠离子聚合物和4wt%的锌离子聚合物的木粉/HDPE剪切应力和表观黏度均要低于添加4wt%的偶联剂马来酸酐接枝聚乙烯（MAH-g-PE）的WPC的值,表明与MAH-g-PE相比,离子聚合物更能够改善WPC的流动性能,减小熔体流动时HDPE与木粉之间的摩擦阻力;SEM分析表明,添加离子聚合物后HDPE塑料对木粉有很好的包覆效果,没有明显的界面缝隙,且在WPC断面上存在大量的毛刺纤维。     

HDPE/木粉改性复合材料的制备及其长效吸水性能研究

加入HDPE-g-MAH、CG-8831和KH-550制备HDPE/木粉改性复合材料。研究其长效吸水性,发现吸水率随时间延长先快速增加,浸水35 d后缓慢增至平衡,HDPE-g-MAH改性效果最好,其饱和吸水率仅为1.503%。利用Fick第二扩散定律拟合吸水动力学曲线,得扩散系数D的顺序:HDPE-g-MAH增容HDPE/木粉复合材料HDPE/木粉复合材料KH-550改性HDPE/木粉复合材料CG-8831改性HDPE/木粉复合材料。并证明该吸水过程符合Fick第二扩散定律,相关系数R2值达0.99以上。HDPE/木粉改性复合材料尺寸变化系数CDCWCT。     

A comparative study on the effects of Coriolus versicolor on properties of HDPE/wood flour/paper sludge composites

In this study, the effects of white-rot fungus (Coriolus versicolor) on the properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE)/wood flour/paper sludge composites were examined. In addition, the effectiveness of using coupling agent on the durability of decayed and undecayed WPCs was investigated. Two different types of sludge materials, namely paper making waste water sludge (PS) and ink-eliminated sludge (IES) were used. The mechanical properties, morphology, and water absorption of fabricated composites were investigated. At a similar wood flour loading, except for modulus of elasticity, the fungi treated composites showed lower mechanical properties (such as modulus of rupture and unnotched Izod impact strength), and higher water absorption compared to untreated composites. According to the results, addition of wood flour decreased the resistance of the composites to moisture and fungal environment. The exposure of the composites to a 4-cycle (2, 24, 48 and 72 h) water immersion caused serious damage to the interfacial adhesion between wood flour and polymer matrix due to contraction and swelling stresses developed during the cyclic exposure. The detrimental effect of fungal treatment on the water uptake of the composites could be explained by the degradation of lignin which made the cellulose content more accessible. Further, it makes chains of cavities that accelerate water absorption. However, the weight losses of all cases of treated composites were low (less than 2.5%), while PS filled composites were more susceptible to white-rot fungi. The addition of coupling agent during the compounding of wood flour and HDPE prevented the colonization and proliferation of fungus on the surface of the composites, and had an advantageous effect on the water uptake and mechanical properties of both treated and untreated composites.     

Studies of surface-modified wood flour/polypropylene composites

Wood flour (WF)/polypropylene (PP) composites have been made by extrusion and hot press compression molding. The composite water uptake and flexural properties were investigated. The composite fracture surfaces were studied by SEM. WF esterified with octanoyl chloride was used in WF/PP composites to improve the composites’ water resistance. Maleated polypropylene (MAPP) was also studied and compared with esterification by acid chlorides. Esterification by octanoyl chloride reduced the composite water uptake. However, the C₈ chain is still not long enough to form effective entanglements with the PP matrix. So, despite enhancements in hydrophobic interactions, flexural strengths and flexural moduli decreased. MAPP (MW = 47000) polymer chains can entangle with the matrix polypropylene molecules. Therefore, when MAPP’s maleic anhydride functions esterify WF surface hydroxyls, improved water resistance and composite flexural properties were achieved. The modifier chain length is of critical importance and more important than the surface density of hydrophobic groups for improving WF–PP interfacial adhesion and composite mechanical performance.     

铝矾土改性竹粉/HDPE复合材料性能

为制备高性能的木塑复合材料,扩展其应用领域,采用A-171硅烷偶联剂对竹粉进行表面改性,并添加一定量的铝矾土,经热压成型制备了竹粉/高密度聚乙烯(HDPE)复合材料。分析了铝矾土用量对竹粉/HDPE复合材料力学性能、耐热性和摩擦性能的影响。采用XRD分析了铝矾土的结晶特性,利用SEM和EDS分析了竹粉/HDPE复合材料的断面形貌和表面元素分布情况。结果表明:加入适量铝矾土后,竹粉/HDPE复合材料的力学强度、耐热性及耐磨性能得以改善。铝矾土在竹粉/HDPE复合材料基体中分布均匀,可有效承担载荷,同时提高了竹粉/HDPE复合材料的结晶性能,降低了竹粉/HDPE复合材料在外在应力下引起的变形和破坏;但铝矾土用量过高,分布不均匀,容易形成团聚现象,导致竹粉/HDPE复合材料的力学强度和耐磨性降低,线性热膨胀系数增大。     

Effects of chemical treatments of hybrid fillers on the physical and thermal properties of wood plastic composites

Hybrid filler reinforced composites are considered as a high performance materials, but limited numbers of researches on hybridizations of wood fibers and mineral fillers were reported. Generally, high amount of filler content in composites can lead to the reduction of interfacial adhesion between matrix polymer and fillers, and it limits their applications. In this study, we measured the changes of tensile strength, water absorption, and thermal properties of composites after chemical treatments to wood fibers and mineral fillers. Coupling agent had its own optimum amount for wood fibers and talc to obtain the highest tensile strength. Talc addition showed little effect of the tensile strength with alkali treated wood fibers. Talc addition and silane treatment showed opposite effects on water absorption. Melting enthalpy was decreased by addition of the fillers because of the reduced amount of the crystallizable resin and because of the interference of the fillers for crystallization process.     

蒙脱土/硅烷改性木粉/PVC复合材料

用硅烷YH-62 对木粉(WF) 和插层蒙脱土(OMMT) 进行表面改性, 熔融共混挤出制备了OMMT/ 硅烷改性木粉(STWF) / 聚氯乙烯( PVC) 复合材料。分析了硅烷改性和添加蒙脱土含量对材料力学性能的影响。用X射线衍射(XRD) 、透射电镜( TEM) 和扫描电镜(SEM) 观察了蒙脱土的插层和分散效果, 用傅立叶红外光谱( FTIR) 、X 射线光电子能谱(XPS) 研究了硅烷改性效果, 分析了表面接枝反应机理。结果表明, 硅烷偶联剂与木粉形成了有效的化学键, 并能够与OMMT 表面产生化学连接, 改善木粉与PVC 及蒙脱土间的界面相容性, 提高了木塑材料的力学性能。在适量加入OMMT 后, 木塑材料的力学性能得到了进一步改善。但含量过高, 会形成厚界面层, 甚至使OMMT 和木粉团聚, 分布不均匀, 引起性能降低。      

Effects of hemicellulose extraction on properties of wood flour and wood-plastic composites

Hygroscopicity, low durability, and low thermal resistance are disadvantages of lignocellulosic materials that also plague wood-plastic composites (WPCs). Hemicellulose is the most hydrophilic wood polymer and is currently considered as a sugar source for the bioethanol industry. The objective of this research is to extract hemicellulose from woody materials and enhance the properties of WPC by diminishing the hydrophilic character of wood. Hemicellulose of Southern Yellow Pine was extracted by hot-water at three different temperatures: 140, 155, and 170 °C. Wood flour was compounded with polypropylene in an extruder, both with and without a coupling agent. Injection molding was used to make tensile test samples. The thermal stability of wood flour was found to have increased after extraction. Extraction of hemicellulose improved the tensile strength and water resistance of composites, which may indicate a decrease in the hygroscopicity of wood flour, better compatibility, and interfacial bonding of the filler and matrix.     

Tensile and fracture behaviour of PP/wood flour composites

Polypropylene/wood flour composites with different fibre content were prepared. The effect of composition and the incorporation of maleinated polypropylene on the materials tensile and fracture and failure behaviour was investigated. Reliable fracture toughness data that will be useful for structural applications were obtained. In unmodified composites an increase in Young´s modulus was found with the addition of wood flour to PP, whereas tensile strength, strain at break and fracture toughness were observed to decrease as fibre content increased. The presence of MAPP was beneficial to tensile strength and ductility and had no significant effect on fracture toughness, as a result of enhanced fibre dispersion within the matrix and improved interfacial adhesion. Although reduced ductility and toughness were observed for the composites respect to the matrix, in the case of modified composites, environmentally friendly stiffer materials were obtained with cost saving without sacrificing strength.     

木粉含量对木粉/酯化淀粉/聚乳酸复合材料性能影响

以甘油为相容剂,利用木粉、马来酸酐酯化淀粉和聚乳酸(PLA)进行熔融挤出制备了木粉/酯化淀粉/聚乳酸复合材料。利用XRD和SEM对复合材料的结晶度和断面形貌进行分析表征,以研究木粉含量对复合材料界面相容性的影响;并对复合材料的热稳定性、力学性能、流变性能以及吸水率进行表征。实验结果表明,随着木粉含量的增加,复合材料的界面相容性下降,拉伸强度和弯曲强度增大,断裂伸长率下降,吸水率逐渐增大;TGA测试结果表明木粉的加入使材料的热稳定性下降;流变测试表明木粉用量的增加,使复合材料的储能模量、损耗模量和复数粘度逐渐增加。     

木粉/聚丙烯木塑复合泡沫材料吸能特性

采用模压法制备木粉/聚丙烯复合泡沫材料,并对不同木粉含量的泡沫材料进行静态压缩、循环压缩、压缩蠕变、动态热机械分析的测试,探讨了不同木粉含量的木粉/聚丙烯复合泡沫材料的能量吸收效果。结果表明: 随着木粉含量的增加,木粉/聚丙烯木塑复合泡沫材料的能量吸收量、能量吸收效率参数、松弛率、循环损耗量、动态力学性能等均呈先升后降的趋势,在木粉质量比为30%时泡沫材料吸能性能达到最佳。     

反应增容HDPE基木塑复合材料及增容机制

使用密炼机对木纤维（WF）进行酯化改性,将改性木纤维（EWF）与高密度聚乙烯（HDPE）、过氧化二异丙苯（DCP）混合,再用双螺杆挤出机反应挤出制备EWF/HDPE复合材料。使用FTIR、力学性能测试、SEM、广角X射线衍射（WAXD）和示差扫描量热－热重同步热分析（TG-DSC）研究了EWF/HDPE复合材料的微观结构和物理力学性能。结果表明,在密炼机中对WF的酯化改性成功地在WF表面引入了酯基;反应挤出所得EWF/HDPE复合材料与无增容WF/HDPE复合材料相比,其冲击和拉伸强度最大分别提高了112%和36%,EWF与HDPE两相之间的界面粘合明显改善,HDPE的晶粒尺寸有所增加,结晶度也有较大提高,但热稳定性有少许下降。EWF/HDPE复合材料力学性能的提高主要归因于反应挤出的增容作用,而非基体HDPE结晶结构的变化。     

Effect of various surface modifications of wood flour on the properties of PP/wood composites

Four different approaches were used for the modification of interfacial interactions in polypropylene (PP)/wood flour composites. We compare the effect of maleated polypropylene (MAPP), two surfactants (stearic acid and cellulose palmitate) and the chemical modification of wood (benzylation) on interfacial adhesion, homogeneity, processability and water absorption. Interfacial adhesion and reinforcement improves upon the addition of a maleated polymer as expected. Non-reactive surface modification leads to a moderate decrease of interaction, while benzylation decreases interfacial adhesion quite considerably. MAPP does not influence any other property of interest; homogeneity, viscosity and water absorption remain practically unchanged independently of the amount of coupling agent used. Surfactants improve homogeneity and processability, while the chemical modification of wood by benzylation decreases water absorption significantly. The results clearly prove that the proper selection of the approach and level of surface modification may lead to considerable improvement in targeted properties.     

Surface modification of wood flour and its effect on the properties of PP/wood composites

The surface of wood flour used as reinforcement in PP/wood composites was successfully modified by benzylation in NaOH solution of 20 wt% concentration at 105 °C. The time of the reaction was changed between 5 and 360 min in several steps. The progress of modification was followed by the measurement of weight increase and by diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy (DRIFT). The structure of the wood was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and its surface tension was determined by inverse gas chromatography (IGC). PP composites containing 20 wt% filler were prepared from a PP block copolymer and the modified wood flour. The mechanical behavior of the composites was characterized by tensile testing. The majority of the active hydroxyl groups at the surface were replaced by benzyl groups in about 2 h under the conditions used. Further increase in reaction time did not influence the properties of the filler. Both the structure of the wood flour and its surface tension changed as an effect of modification. The reduction of surface tension led to significant changes in all interactions between the wood flour and other substances resulting in a considerable decrease of water absorption, which is the major benefit of this modification. All measured mechanical properties of the composites decreased slightly with increasing degree of modification. A detailed analysis of the results proved that the dominating micromechanical deformation process of these PP/wood composites is debonding, which is further facilitated by the decrease in the surface tension of the filler. Chemical modification of wood flour slightly improved processability and the surface appearance of the composites prepared with them and considerably decreased the water absorption of these latter.     

Mechanical and natural durability properties of wood treated with a novel organic preservative/consolidant product

An organic preservative/consolidant of new formulation was selected in order to evaluate its effect on the mechanical properties of worm-eaten walnut wood. Walnut wood is widely used for the realization of artistic handworks (e.g. statues, altars, etc.) furniture and flooring. The flexural strength and modulus of elasticity, the toughness and the hardness were determined on both treated and untreated samples.The experimental results showed that the product increased significantly the flexural strength while the other mechanical properties were not appreciably affected by the chemical treatment. The microstructure of the samples tested was observed using scanning electron microscopy.The preserving character against insects of the investigated product was assessed by both visual inspection and measurements of weight loss on the treated specimens after their exposure to living insects. The samples on which the product was applied, exposed to Oligomerus ptilinoides for one year, were more resistant to decay than the corresponding untreated samples.     

木聚糖酶处理对西南桦木/HDPE复合材料性能的影响

采用木聚糖酶溶液对西南桦木粉进行处理,并利用热压成型工艺制得西南桦木/高密度聚乙烯（HDPE）复合材料,考察酶溶液浓度、处理时间及温度对西南桦木/HDPE复合材料拉伸强度、弯曲强度等力学性能的影响,从而获得木聚糖酶处理的最佳工艺条件。借助傅里叶红外光谱分析技术和扫描电子显微镜,分析木聚糖酶处理后西南桦木纤维的化学官能团变化和西南桦木/HDPE复合材料的断面形貌。结果表明：木聚糖酶处理能够增强西南桦木/HDPE复合材料的界面结合。在木聚糖酶溶液浓度为2.67 mg/L,温度为40℃,pH值为4.5的条件下处理2 h后,西南桦木粉的纤维素相对含量及结晶度增加,半纤维含量减小,木质素相对含量增加;木纤维的材质变软、表面变得粗糙,增大了与塑料分子的接触面积,从而提高了西南桦木/HDPE复合材料的力学性能。     

Effects of carbon nanotubes and its functionalization on the thermal and flammability properties of polypropylene/wood flour composites

In this article, pristine carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and hydroxylated CNTs (CNT-OH) were employed to enhance the thermal stability and flame retardancy of polypropylene (PP)/wood flour composites (WPC) compatibilzed by maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MA). Incorporating 10 wt% PP-g-MA only enhanced the mechanical and thermal properties to some extent, but did not improve the flame retardancy of WPC. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the thermal stability of WPC was further increased with the addition of CNTs or CNT-OH and the increase of their loading level. Cone calorimeter measurements suggested that CNTs and CNT-OH could effectively reduce the peak heat release rate (PHRR) of WPC, and the flame retardancy properties reached the optimum value when both of their loading was 1.0 wt%, for instance, a reduction in PHRR by 16.7% and 25% for CNTs and CNT-OH, respectively. In addition, CNT-OH conferred better flame retardancy on WPC relative to pristine CNTs due to the better interfacial adhesion with wood flour and PP matrix, which was evidenced by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations.     

Flexural properties and micromorphologies of wood flour/carbon nanofiber/maleated polypropylene/polypropylene composites

The effects of carbon nanofibers (CNF) on the performance of three- or more phase composites are complicated. CNFs formulated into wood flour (WF)/maleated polypropylene (MAPP)/polypropylene (PP) composites by high shear blending alone improved flexural properties. Addition of an extrusion step after high shear blending enhanced CNF dispersion and improved the composites’ flexural moduli, but in these systems CNF did not contribute to flexural property enhancement. The addition of 1.0 wt% CNF to WF/MAPP/PP by high shear blending followed by extrusion did not affect either the WF dispersion or WF/PP adhesion. The adhesion between WF and PP/MAPP matrix was good (SEM), but CNF adhesion to the PP/MAPP matrix was poor.     

Effects of chitosan as biopolymer coupling agent on the thermal and rheological properties of polyvinyl chloride/wood flour composites

Chitosan (CS) was opted as a novel biopolymer coupling agent for wood flour polyvinyl chloride composites (WF/PVC) to improve interfacial adhesion. This study mainly aimed at investigating the effects after adding CS of different addition amounts and particle sizes on the thermal and rheological properties of WF/PVC composites by the analyses of vicat softening temperature test (VST), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TGA) and torque rheometry. The results indicated that an optimum addition amount (30 phr) with the particle size (180–220 mesh) could elevate heat resistance capacity, glass transition temperature of composites as well as thermal stability at the early stage of degradation more effectively. In the aspect of rheological characteristics, longer fusion time, lower fusion torque and higher fusion temperature were showed as the CS addition amount increased and the particle size declined. In order to obtain sufficient compaction and ensure proper blending to compounds during extrusion, the higher pressure needed to be supplied when the addition amount of CS exceeded 20 phr.