Effects of Defibration Conditions on Mechanical and Physical Properties of Wood Fiber/High-Density Polyethylene Composites

Defibration conditions influence wood fiber characteristics and thereby properties of fiber-based materials. In this study, the effects of several defibration conditions on mechanical and physical properties of fiber-based wood-plastic composites (WPCs) are illustrated. Various WPCs were tested containing different thermo-mechanical pulps (TMPs) or groundwood pulp (GWP), whereby material composition (50 wt% wood fibers, 47 wt% polymer, 3 wt% coupling agent) and the production process (internal mixer, injection molder) were kept consistent. The data from the experiment revealed that differing defibration conditions led to statistically significant differences in the tested flexural, tensile, and impact properties as well as in the water absorption of WPC. Overall, the GWP and the TMP which was produced under the mildest defibration conditions performed best in fiber-based WPCs. Therefore, grinders and refiners may be equally suitable to produce pulp for WPC usage. As a side-effect within this study, the reinforcing effect of fiber application on flexural and tensile properties was on an extraordinarily high level.     

Effect of Coupling Agent Concentration,Fiber Content,and Size on Mechanical Properties of Wood/HDPE Composites

In this study, the influence of coupling agent concentration (0 and 3 wt%), wood fiber content (50, 60, 70, and 80 wt%), and size (40–60, 80–100, and 160–180 mesh) on the mechanical properties of wood/high-density-polyethylene (HDPE) composites (WPCs) was investigated. WPC samples were prepared with poplar wood-flour, HDPE, and polyethylene maleic anhydride copolymer (MAPE) as coupling agent. It was found that the tensile properties and the flexural properties of the composites were improved by the addition of 3 wt% MAPE, and the improved interfacial adhesion was well confirmed by SEM micrographs. It was also observed that the best mechanical properties of wood/HDPE composites can be reached with larger particle size in the range studied, while too-small particle size was adverse for the mechanical properties of wood/HDPE composites. Moreover, the tensile modulus, tensile strength, and flexural strength of WPCs decreased with the increase in fiber content from 50 to 80 wt%; the flexural modulus of WPCs increased with the increase in fiber content from 50 to 70 wt% and then decreased as the fiber content reached 80 wt%. The variances in property performance are helpful for the end-user to choose an appropriate coupling agent (MAPE) concentration, wood fiber content, and particle size based on performance needs and cost considerations.     

Study on properties of nanocomposites based on HDPE,LDPE, PP,PVC, wood and clay

Wood polymer nanocomposite (WPC) was prepared by solution blending of high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride (1:1:1:0.5) with wood flour and nanoclay. Xylene and tetrahydrofuran were used as solvent and the ratio was optimized at 70:30. TEM study revealed better dispersion of silicate layers in WPC loaded with 3 wt% of clay. WPC loaded with 3 wt% nanoclay exhibited higher thermal stability compared to WPC loaded with 1 and 5 wt% clay. The storage and loss modulus were found to enhance on incorporation of clay to WPC. The damping peak was found to be lowered by the addition of clay to WPC. Limiting oxygen index value increased due to incorporation of nanoclay. WPCs were subjected to exposure to cellulase producing Bacillus sp. and it showed the growth of bacteria as revealed by SEM study. Mechanical properties of WPC decreased due to degradation by bacteria. Water vapour uptake of WPC decreased due to addition of nanoclay.     

Experimental investigation on reprocessing of extruded wood flour/HDPE composites

This article presents an experimental study on the change in the properties of wood–plastic composites (WPCs) when reprocessed. The degree of properties degradation upon reprocessing, for recycling purpose, can be considered as a key factor to choose an alternative against discarding into the environment. A material which retains its properties when recycled, or at least exhibits insignificant reduction in its properties, is favorable in environmental point of view. To investigate the reprocessing effect on the WPC properties, in this study, cylindrical profiles of WPC, with 60 wt% of wood content, were produced using a twin screw extruder, at first stage (virgin WPC). These profiles were then chopped into granules and used in the reproduction of the same shaped product (recycled WPC). For the measurement of mechanical properties, tensile and three‐point bending tests were conducted. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) test was performed to compare thermal behavior of the neat HDPE, virgin and recycled composites. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were also produced to observe the adhesion quality of the components and changes in wood particles size. Physical properties such as density and water uptake were also measured. A reduction in strength was observed upon recycling which was accompanied with the decrease in density, while an increase in the flexural modulus was noticed. The results also indicate that the recycled samples exhibit a higher water uptake. Analysis of thermal behavior showed a slight increase in the melting temperature of the reprocessed composite and decrease in the degree of crystallinity especially at the first stage of the HDPE process. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

The effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the weathering performance of wood-plastic composites

In recent years, wood-plastic composites (WPCs) have become among the most popular engineering materials. Most of their usage areas are outdoors, where they encounter various damaging factors. The weathering conditions cause significant deterioration to WPC surfaces, which negatively influences their service life. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles at different concentrations (1%, 3%, 5%, 10%) were added to a high-density polyethylene-based WPC matrix. The effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the weathering performance of WPC was evaluated after 840 hours of an artificial weathering test. The highest colour changes (∆E*) were monitored with control samples exposed for 840 hours. Adding zinc oxide nanoparticles improved the ultraviolet (UV) resistance and decreased the colour changes. The wood flour content also affected the colour changes on the WPC surface. A combination of 10% zinc oxide nanoparticles and 50% wood flour content provided the lowest colour changes. The barrier effect of nanoparticles protected the WPC surfaces from UV light. Zinc oxide nanoparticles also positively affected the load transfer, which restricted the reduction in mechanical properties after the weathering test. The degradation on the surface of WPCs was also investigated using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier Transform–infrared analysis. The changes in the characteristic bands of polymer and wood indicated that surface degradation was inevitable. Light and scanning electron microscopy images also demonstrated micro-cracks and roughness on the surface of WPCs. It is concluded that UV degradation is unavoidable, but zinc oxide nanoparticles can improve surface resistance against weathering conditions.     

Flame retardancy,antifungal efficacies,and physical–mechanical properties for wood/polymer composites containing zinc borate

This work aimed to examine flame retardancy, antifungal performance and physical–mechanical properties for silane‐treated wood–polymer composites (WPCs) containing zinc borate (ZnB). ZnB with content from 0.0 to 7.0 wt% was added to WPCs, and silane‐treated wood contents were varied. The polymers used were poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and high‐density polyethylene (HDPE). The decay test was performed according to the European standard EN 113. Loweporus sp., a white‐rot fungus, was used for antifungal performance evaluation. Antifungal performance was observed to decrease with wood content. Incorporation of ZnB at 1.0 wt% significantly increased the antifungal performance of WPCs. ZnB content of greater than 1.0 wt% lowered the antifungal properties of WPCs. The results suggested that the wood/PVC composite exhibited better antifungal performance than the wood/HDPE composite. The addition of wood flour to PVC and HDPE decreased flame retardancy, whereas the incorporation of ZnB retained the flame retardancy. ZnB was found to be more appropriate for wood/PVC than wood/HDPE as a result of hydrogen chloride generated from the dehydrochlorination reaction of PVC. The results indicated that the addition of ZnB did not affect the physical‐mechanical properties of neat polymers and the composites. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Wood/plastic composites co‐extruded with multi‐walled carbon nanotube‐filled rigid poly(vinyl chloride) cap layer

Wood/plastic composites (WPCs) can absorb moisture in a humid environment due to the hydrophilic nature of the wood in the composites, making products susceptible to microbial growth and loss of mechanical properties. Co‐extruding a poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)‐rich cap layer on a WPC significantly reduces the moisture uptake rate, increases the flexural strength but, most importantly, decreases the flexural modulus compared to uncapped WPCs. A two‐level factorial design was used to develop regression models evaluating the statistical effects of material compositions and a processing condition on the flexural properties of co‐extruded rigid PVC/wood flour composites with the ultimate goal of producing co‐extruded composites with better flexural properties than uncapped WPCs. Material composition variables included wood flour content in the core layer and carbon nanotube (CNT) content in the cap layer of the co‐extruded composites, with the processing temperature profile for the core layer as the only processing condition variable. Fusion tests were carried out to understand the effects of the material compositions and processing condition on the flexural properties. Regression models indicated all main effects and two powerful interaction effects (processing temperature/wood flour content and wood flour content/CNT content interactions) as statistically significant. Factors leading to a fast fusion of the PVC/wood flour composites in the core layer, i.e. low wood flour content and high processing temperature, were effective material composition and processing condition parameters for improving the flexural properties of co‐extruded composites. Reinforcing the cap layer with CNTs also produced a significant improvement in the flexural properties of the co‐extruded composites, insensitive to the core layer composition and the processing temperature condition. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Waste pine cones as a source of reinforcing fillers for thermoplastic composites

In this study, we evaluated some physical and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP) composites reinforced with pine‐cone flour and wood flour. Five types of wood–plastic composites (WPCs) were prepared from mixtures of cone flour, wood flour, PP, and a coupling agent. The water resistance and flexural properties of the composites were negatively affected by an increase in cone‐flour content. Extractives in the cone flour had a significant effect on the flexural properties of the WPCs. However, the flexural properties and water resistance of the WPC samples were not significantly affected by the addition of 10 wt % of the cone flour when compared to the WPC samples made from wood flour. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Wood‐thermoplastic composites manufactured using beetle‐killed spruce from Alaska

The primary objectives of the study were to characterize the critical properties of wood flour produced using highly deteriorated beetle‐killed spruce for wood‐plastic composite (WPC) production and evaluate important mechanical and physical properties of WPC extruded using an industry standard formulation. Chemical composition analysis indicated no significant differences in wood constituents between highly deteriorated and sound wood. Preliminary investigation with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), however, indicated partial degradation or depolymerization of carbohydrate components in highly deteriorated wood compared to sound wood from green trees; effects of these changes could be seen in cell collapse and poor interaction between thermoplastic matrix and deteriorated wood fiber. Physical and mechanical properties of extruded WPCs manufactured from highly deteriorated material were comparable to WPC properties produced using pine wood flour that served as a control material. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

基于电子束辅助固化的木塑复合材料的研究

在辐射剂量为56kGy的双面电子束辐照工艺条件下，制备了苯乙烯(St)、苯乙烯与不饱和聚酯树脂(St／UPE)混合物以及苯乙烯与环氧丙烯酸酯树脂(St／EA)混合物浸渍的冬瓜木和松木系列木塑复合材料，研究了木材和浸渍液体种类以及电子束辐射对浸渍液体的聚合和固化程度以及所得木塑复合材料性能的影响。结果表明在电子束辅助固化工艺条件下，浸入木材的St、St/UPE和St／EA的聚合率以及St／UPE和St／EA的固化率均可大于90％。木塑复合材料的硬度和压缩强度较原木材可提高2～6倍，其1昼夜吸水率则从原木材的64．6％和52．8％分别降低到8．9％～12．9％和7．0％～7．9％。     

Mechanical and thermal properties of wood‐plastic composites reinforced with hexagonal boron nitride

Mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of injection molded wood‐plastic composites (WPCs) prepared from poplar wood flour (50 wt%), thermoplastics (high density polyethlyne or polypropylene) with coupling agent (3 wt%), and hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) (2, 4, or 6 wt%) nanopowder were investigated. The flexural and tensile properties of WPCs significantly improved with increasing content of the h‐BN. Unlike the tensile and flexural properties, the notched izod impact strength of WPCs decreased with increasing content of h‐BN but it was higher than that of WPCs without the h‐BN. The WPCs containing h‐BN were stiffer than those without h‐BN. The tensile elongation at break values of WPCs increased with the addition of h‐BN. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis showed that the crystallinity, melting enthalpy, and crystallization enthalpy of the WPCs increased with increasing content of the h‐BN. The increase in the crystallization peak temperature of WPCs indicated that h‐BN was the efficient nucleating agent for the thermoplastic composites to increase the crystallization rate. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:194–200, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Dimensional stability of wood–polymer composites

Wood–polymer composites (WPC) were prepared by impregnation of polymeric monomers in wood and in situ polymerization. Three polymeric chemicals were chosen for this study: methyl methacrylate (MMA), hydroxyethylene methacrylate (HEMA), and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). The effects of polymeric monomers and their combinations on moisture adsorption (M), anti–moisture adsorption efficiency (AME), liquid water uptake (D), water repellency efficiency (WRE), longitudinal, radial, tangential, and volumetric swelling properties (S) after soaking, and antiswelling efficiency (ASE) were investigated. It was found that M was different for different methacrylate combinations and depended not only on the composition of the impregnants, but also on wood properties. Liquid water uptake was similar regardless of the formulation of the WPC. Wood–polymer composites with high MMA content displayed enhanced dimensional stabilities, but WPCs with high HEMA content did not. Tangential and volumetric ASEs were strongly dependent on the type of treatment. Mold growth tests showed that wood treated with HEMA alone had no surface mold growth, and wood treated with MMA alone also showed less mold growth than did the control samples. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl PolymSci 102: 5085–5094, 2006     

The Effects of Different Types of Maleic Anhydride-Modified Polypropylene on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene-based Wood/Plastic Composites

Maleic anhydride-modified polypropylene (MAPP) is a compatibilizer used to improve the physical and mechanical properties of many wood/plastic composites (WPCs). The properties of WPCs containing MAPP differ according to the characteristics of the specific MAPP that it is used. In this study, the physical and mechanical properties, including shear viscosity, of polypropylene-based WPCs containing different types of MAPP were investigated before and after water absorption. The shear viscosity of MAPP increased with increasing molecular weight, but remained nearly constant for WPCs containing different types of MAPP. In dry conditions, the strongest WPC contained the MAPP with the highest acid value. The highest flexural modulus was observed with the WPC containing the MAPP with the highest molecular weight. In wet conditions, the WPC exhibiting the best mechanical properties contained a MAPP with a molecular weight of 58,000.     

Softwood Distillate as a Bio-Based Additive in Wood-Plastic Composites

The possibility of using softwood distillate as a bio-based additive or filler in wood-plastic composites (WPCs) was studied by adding various amounts (1–20 wt%) of distillate to a commercial WPC consisting of thermally treated sawdust in a polypropylene (PP) matrix. Softwood distillate was obtained as a secondary product from industrial ThermoWood® processing and it was further processed in the laboratory. The addition of softwood distillate significantly enhanced the mechanical properties of WPC when the distillate content was 2 wt%; tensile strength increased by 5%, tensile modulus by 3%, flexural strength by 3%, and modulus of elasticity by almost 2% compared with the unmodified WPC. In addition, a considerable decrease (over 16%) in water absorption was observed on distillate addition. Proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass-spectrometry (PTR-TOF-MS) analyses revealed that the addition of softwood distillate increased release rates of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in general, and that the odor of acetaldehyde and guaiacol is detectable in several WPCs. Overall, softwood distillate had positive effects on this particular WPC.     

Preparation and properties of wood plastic composite reinforced by ultralong cellulose nanofibers

Wood plastic composites (WPCs) were reinforced by ultralong cellulose nanofibers (CNF), which were extracted from poplar flour. To solve the aggregate problem of CNF in nonpolar high density polyethylene (HDPE), a new method, which was corresponding to preblending the mixture of wood flour and HDPE powder in the CNF suspension with continuously stirring at 80°C for 2 h was used before the extrusion process. The capillary rheological tests showed CNF could increase the apparent viscosity of WPCs obviously. From the SEM images, abundant CNF were distributed on the fracture surface of WPCs uniformly and compactly like “spider web.” Compared with WPC without CNF, the bending strength, bending modulus, and impact strength of WPCs with 20 wt% CNF increased by 93.01, 153.64, and 116.55%, respectively. The thermal expansion coefficient of WPCs with 20 wt% CNF decreased by 61.30%. The storage modulus of WPCs was greatly improved with the addition of CNF. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1206–1215, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effects of different filler types on decay resistance and thermal,physical, and mechanical properties of recycled high-density polyethylene composites

In this study, flexural properties, impact strength, thermal performance, water absorption, biological durability, and morphology of wood-plastic composites (WPCs) filled with different filler types were investigated. Six different formulations of WPCs were fabricated from mixtures of carpenter waste and recycled high-density polyethylene (R-HDPE). The carpenter waste was derived from wood and particle board wastes, and R-HDPE was used as the polymer matrix, with and without addition of maleic anhydrite grafted polyethylene (MAPE). All formulations were compression moulded in a hot press for 3 min at 170 °C. Investigations on the compression moulded specimens revealed that water absorption values in the particleboard waste flour specimens were lower than in the wood-waste flour WPCs. However, the wood-waste flour-filled composites exhibited higher mechanical property values than the particleboard waste flour WPCs. Statistically, only the wood-waste flour-filled composites with MAPE were significantly different. The use of MAPE (3 wt%) had a positive effect on the water absorption, crystallinity degree, and flexural properties of the WPCs. In addition, the peak temperatures of the composites did not show any variation, while thermal decomposition of the composites showed minor variations under the thermogravimetric analysis. Furthermore, the decay resistance of the composites improved with the use of particleboard waste flour. The obtained results demonstrate that particleboard waste flour, such as wood-waste flour, is potentially suitable as a raw material in WPCs.     

Effects of vinyltrimethoxy silane on thermal properties and dynamic mechanical properties of polypropylene–wood flour composites

The viability of vinyltrimethoxy silane was investigated as a coupling agent for the manufacture of wood–plastic composites (WPC). The effect of silane pretreatment of the wood flour on the thermal and the dynamic mechanical properties and thermal degradation properties of the composites were studied. Moreover, the effect of organosilane on the properties of composites was compared with the effect of maleated polypropylene (MAPP). DSC studies indicated that the wood flour acts as a PP-nucleating agent, increasing the PP crystallization rate. In general, pretreatment with small amounts of silane improved this behavior in all the WPCs studied. Thermal degradation studies of the WPCs indicated that the presence of wood flour delayed degradation of the PP. Silane pretreatment of the wood flour augmented this effect, though without significantly affecting cellulose degradation. Studies of dynamic mechanical properties revealed that the wood flour (at up to 30 wt %) increased storage modulus values with respect to those of pure PP; in WPCs with a higher wood flour amount, there was no additional increase in storage modulus. Pretreatment of the wood flour with silane basically had no effect on the dynamic mechanical properties of the WPC. These results show that with small amounts of vinyltrimethoxy silane similar properties to the MAPP are reached. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Nanoclay‐reinforced,polypropylene‐based wood–plastic composites

Wood plastic composites (WPCs) are a new class of materials which combine the characteristics of plastic and wood. In appearance, they are similar to wood, but the low stiffness of plastics makes the composite modulus significantly lower than that of solid wood. Increasing the wood content in the WPCs can improve stiffness, but the rate of water absorption also goes up. Here, nanoclay was compounded with wood and plastic using a twin screw extruder to form a three‐component composite to improve the stiffness of WPCs. To overcome the previously observed reduction in strength and increase in the rate of water absorption, different compounding procedures were used. It was found that pre‐compounding wood flour with polymer followed by incorporation of clay in a second step resulted in an increase in stiffness, retention in strength, and a reduction in the rate of water absorption. Thus, adding nanoclays is an alternative for increasing properties instead of adding extra wood flour to a concentration in excess of 55 wt% as this involves processing difficulties. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 50:2013–2020, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Formaldehyde emission from PVC–wood composites containing MDF sanding dust

The main purpose of this work was to study the formaldehyde emission from wood plastic composites (WPCs) containing polyvinyl chloride (PVC), wood flour, and sanding dust of medium density fiberboard (MDF). Wood floor was replaced with 10, 15, and 20% MDF sanding dust (as a wood‐based panel waste), and the composites were manufactured by the extrusion method. Formaldehyde emission from WPCs was measured using two different methods: the desiccator method according to ISO 12460 and the flask method according to EN717‐3. Moreover, the physical and mechanical properties of the WPC samples were determined. The results indicated that the use of MDF sanding dust in formulation of WPCs leads to higher formaldehyde emission. The composites with higher content of MDF sanding dust exhibited higher formaldehyde emission. Although the PVC composites containing MDF sanding dust release formaldehyde, the formaldehyde emission values were very low. Therefore, these composites can be considered to be green composites and there is no concern in their indoor applications. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:159–164, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effects of raw fiber materials,fiber content,and coupling agent content on selected properties of polyethylene/wood fiber composites

This study investigated the effects of raw fiber materials, fiber content, and coupling agent (CA) content on mixing torque, rheological properties, and crystallization behavior of wood plastic composites (WPC). WPCs were prepared through melt molding processes. This study adopted a response surface strategy of 20 run optimal design for three factors including wood fiber type, fiber content, and CA content. Wood fiber type or wood fiber characteristics influence equilibrium torque and viscosity. The power index n for viscosity as a function of frequency was affected not only by wood fiber content, but also by CA content and wood fiber type. Addition of wood fibers to the system as nucleating agents favors polyethylene crystallization. The values of crystallization enthalpy and melt enthalpy were correlated with wood fiber content and CA content, but they were not affected by wood fiber type. The melt temperatures of polyethylene and composites were comparable. This indicates that the crystallite structure and lamellar thickness are similar. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:1678–1687, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers