The utilization of bamboo charcoal enhances wood plastic composites with excellent mechanical and thermal properties

In order to enhance the mechanical properties and thermal properties of wood plastic composites (WPCs), bamboo charcoal (BC) was used as reinforcing filler of WPC, and a series of BC-WPC composites were prepared. The effect of BC and water treatment on water absorptions, morphologies, mechanical properties, the effect of water treatment on mechanical properties and thermal properties of the composites were investigated. The results showed that BC could have strong interfacial interaction in the WPC. The water resistance, flexural properties, tensile properties and thermal properties of BC-WPC were higher than WPC. The flexural and tensile properties were reduced and the impact strength was increased after water treatment. The presence of BC resists the influence of water absorption on composites mechanical properties.     

Effect of a novel coupling agent,alkyl ketene dimer,on the mechanical properties of wood–plastic composites

The objective of this study was to investigate the incorporation of poplar wood fibers both with and without a novel coupling agent, alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), on the mechanical properties of wood fiber/polypropylene (PP) composites. The resulting properties were compared to those obtained with the most commonly used coupling agent, maleic anhydride grafted PP (MAPP). Tensile and impact strengths of the composites decreased with increasing poplar wood fibers content. Tensile modulus of the composites increased by the incorporation of the wood fibers content up to 70 wt% but further increment in the wood fibers decreased the tensile modulus. At the constant content of poplar wood fibers (70 wt%), the tensile strength determined for the coupled composites with 5% AKD increased by 41% in comparison with the non-coupled composites while the tensile modulus increased by 45%, the impact strength of the coupled composites increased by 38%. The performance of 5% AKD on the mechanical properties of the composites is a little better than 3% MAPP. The good performance of 5% AKD is attributed to the enhanced compatibility between the poplar wood fibers and the polymer matrix. The increase in mechanical properties of the composites demonstrated that AKD is an effective coupling agent for wood fiber/PP composites.     

Mechanical properties of high density polyethylene/carbon nanotube composites

Carbon-nanotubes (CNTs) have been used with polymers from the date of their inception to make composites having remarkable properties. An attempt has been made in this direction, in order to enhance mechanical and tribological properties of the composite materials. The latter, were achieved through the injection molding of high density polyethylene (HDPE) reinforced with specific volume fraction of CNTs. A considerable improvement on mechanical properties of the material can be observed when the volume fraction of CNT is increased. The composite reinforcement shows a good load transfer effect and interface link between CNT and HDPE. The volumetric wear rate is calculated from the Wang’s model, Ratner’s correlation and reciprocal of toughness. The results obtained clearly show the linear relationship with CNT loading which supports the microscopic wear model. It is concluded that both Halpin–Tsai and modified series model can be used to predict Young’s modulus of CNT–HDPE composites. From thermal analysis study, it is found that melting point and oxidation temperature of the composites are not affected by the addition of CNTs, however its crystallinity seems to increase.     

PLA/algae composites: Morphology and mechanical properties

Bio-composites with poly(lactic) acid as matrix and various algae (red, brown and green) as filler were prepared via melt mixing. Algae initial size (below 50 μm and between 200 and 400 μm) and concentration (from 2 to 40 wt%) were varied. First, algae morphology, composition and surface properties are analysed for each algae type. Second, an example of algae particle size decrease during processing is given. Finally, tensile properties of composites are analysed. The surface of algae flakes was covered with inorganic salts affecting filler–matrix interactions. The Young’s modulus of composites increased at 40 wt% load of algae as compared with neat PLA although the strain at break and tensile strength decreased. In most cases the influence of algae type was minor. Larger flakes led to better mechanical properties compared to the smaller ones.     

Electrical and mechanical properties of expanded graphite/high density polyethylene nanocomposites

High density polyethylene (HDPE) were filled with expanded graphite particles that have different particle sizes, 5–7 μm (EG5) and 40–55 μm (EG50) in diameter. Nanocomposites were prepared by the melt-mixing technique using EG5 and EG50 at different weight ratios. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the morphology of the nanocomposites. X-ray diffraction patterns of EG5-HDPE and EG50-HDPE nanocomposites were investigated. Tensile tests were carried out to determine tensile strength, Young’s modulus and elongation at break values. The storage modulus and loss modulus were evaluated by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The effect of EG5 and EG50 on electrical conductivity of HDPE was also determined. The tensile strength of HDPE increased 18.7% and 8.5% when 40 wt% EG5 and EG50 was added into HDPE, respectively. The storage modulus of EG5-HDPE and EG50-HDPE is higher compared to that of HDPE. Incorporation of EG5 and EG10 into HDPE also increased the relaxation transition peak of HDPE. The values of electrical conductivity for EG50-HDPE nanocomposites under the same filler content obtained higher in comparison with those for EG5-HDPE nanocomposites.     

玻璃纤维含量对竹粉/高密度聚乙烯复合材料性能的影响

为利用玻璃纤维提高木塑复合材料的综合性能,探讨玻璃纤维含量对竹粉/高密度聚乙烯(HDPE)复合材料性能的影响规律,首先,采用A-171硅烷偶联剂对竹粉表面进行了改性,并加入了一定量的玻璃纤维;然后,采用热压成型工艺制备了玻璃纤维-竹粉/HDPE复合材料;最后,考察了玻璃纤维含量对复合材料力学性能、热学性能及摩擦学性能的影响,并利用SEM观察材料的断面和磨损表面形貌。结果表明:当玻璃纤维含量为3wt%时,能显著提高竹粉/HDPE复合材料的拉伸强度和弯曲强度,与未添加玻璃纤维的复合材料相比,添加玻璃纤维后复合材料的拉伸强度和弯曲强度分别提高了19.41%和23.54%;在30~60℃温度范围内,复合材料长度-宽度方向上的线膨胀系数随着玻璃纤维含量的增加而明显减小,而同一复合材料的线膨胀系数随温度的升高而逐步增大;在氮气气氛下,随玻璃纤维含量的增加,竹粉/HDPE复合材料的摩擦系数先逐渐增大,而后基本保持不变,磨损率逐渐减小。所得结论显示玻璃纤维含量为3wt%~7wt%的木塑产品适用于建筑横梁(如凉亭或桥梁等),而玻璃纤维含量为7wt%~10wt%的木塑产品适用于高人流量场所(如公园或休闲绿道等)的地面铺装。      

农林废物生物炭/高密度聚乙烯复合材料的制备与性能

利用稻壳、杨木在600℃下制备稻壳炭、杨木炭,以稻壳、稻壳炭、杨木、杨木炭为填料填充高密度聚乙烯(HDPE)制备复合材料,并对其性能进行测试分析.结果表明,跟稻壳、杨木相比,稻壳炭、杨木炭具有较高的含碳量、较大的比表面积、发达的孔隙结构及较低的极性;稻壳炭/HDPE复合材料的弯曲强度、弯曲模量、拉伸强度、拉伸模量分别为...     

Processing and mechanical properties of carbon nanotube-alumina hybrid reinforced high density polyethylene composites

Carbon nanotube-alumina hybrid reinforced high density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix composites were prepared by melt processing technique. Microstructure studies verified that the nanotubes consisting of well-crystallized graphite formed a network structure with Al₂O₃ in the hybrid, which was homogeneously dispersed in the HDPE matrix composites. Mechanical measurements revealed that 5% addition of nanotube-alumina hybrid results in 100.8% and 65.7% simultaneous increases in Young's modulus and tensile strength, respectively. Fracture surface showed homogenous dispersion of nanotubes and Al₂O₃ in the HDPE matrix and presence of interlocking like phenomena between hybrid and HDPE matrix, which might contribute to the effective reinforcement of the HDPE composites.     

添加纳米碳管对高密度聚乙烯力学行为和结晶过程的影响

利用熔融法制备了一系列具有不同纳米碳管含量的纳米碳管(Q盯)／高密度聚乙烯(HDPE)复合材料。对其拉伸性能的研究结果表明，添加质量分数分别为2％，5％和10％的纳米碳管使HDPE的拉伸模量分别提高了7．4％，27．0％和28．6％，屈服强度分别提高了3．3％，14．4％和18．5％，但是会降低HDPE的断裂强度和断裂伸长率。同时，对复合材料中HDPE结晶过程的研究表明，纳米碳管可以提高HDPE的开始结晶温度，降低结晶活化能，但是会使HDPE的结晶速率下降，结晶度降低。     

稻壳/高密度聚乙烯复合材料与稻壳炭/高密度聚乙烯复合材料性能对比

采用挤出法制备稻壳/高密度聚乙烯（HDPE）和稻壳炭/HDPE复合材料。利用SEM、XRD对稻壳/HDPE和稻壳炭/HDPE复合材料进行表征,并对其力学性能和抗蠕变性能进行测试对比。结果表明,稻壳和HDPE之间的结合方式与稻壳炭和HDPE之间的结合方式存在根本性的差异,稻壳/HDPE复合材料表现为稻壳被HDPE所包裹,稻壳炭/HDPE复合材料表现为HDPE嵌入稻壳炭的孔隙中;稻壳和稻壳炭的加入都会影响HDPE基复合材料的结晶峰强度,但不会对其微晶结构产生影响;无论是抗弯强度、拉伸强度还是抗蠕变强度,稻壳炭/HDPE复合材料都远远强于稻壳/HDPE复合材料。     

Improved mechanical properties of recycled linear low-density polyethylene composites filled with date palm wood powder

Recycled linear low-density polyethylene (RLLDPE) was blended with date palm wood powder to prepare composites in which the concentration of the filler ranged from 10 to 70 wt.%. The cross-linking of composites was performed in some selected cases. The Young’s modulus of the composites significantly increased as the filler content increased over the entire concentration range. A maximum value of 1989 MPa was observed for the composite filled with 70 wt.% filler, which was approximately 6.5 times higher than that observed for neat RLLDPE. The presence of filler increased the flexural strength from 11.4 MPa for unmodified RLLDPE to 17 MPa for the composite containing 70 wt.% filler. The Young’s modulus and stress at break measured at 50 °C decreased significantly compared with those values measured at 25 °C. The ratio between the stress at break at 25 °C versus 50 °C (σ₂₅/σ₅₀) was between 2.7 and 3.8, whereas the ratio of Young’s modulus of E₂₅/E₅₀ was between 1.6 and 2.6.     

Mechanical,sorption and adhesive properties of composites based on low density polyethylene filled with date palm wood powder

Low density polyethylene (LDPE) was blended with date palm wood powder (DPW) to prepare composites with concentrations of filler ranging from 10 to 70 wt.%. The Younǵs modulus of the composites significantly increased with an increase in the filler content in the entire concentration range. The maximum value of 1933 MPa for the composite filled with 70 wt.% of the filler is approximately 13 times higher than that for the neat LDPE.The presence of the filler improved the flexural strength, which was represented by the flexural stress at peak. The flexural strength of 17.8 MPa for the composite filled with 70 wt.% of the filler was two-times greater than that for the neat LDPE. The water absorption test revealed that the composites had a strong tendency to absorb water, which was dependent on the filler content. The experimental data were compared with several theoretical models.     

改性芳纶纤维增强木粉/高密度聚乙烯复合材料的力学性能

采用螺杆挤出机研究了添加连续芳纶纤维增强木粉/高密度聚乙烯（CAF-WF/HDPE）复合材料,为改善CAF与WF/HDPE复合材料界面相容性,分别采用磷酸和硅烷偶联剂处理纤维。对比表面处理前后的CAF形态分析显示,经过处理的CAF表面粗糙度增加;采用磷酸和硅烷偶联剂处理,纤维束从基体中的拔出强度分别提高了94.9%和77.6%,表明处理后的CAF与WF/HDPE复合材料的界面结合强度有所提高。对比WF/HDPE复合材料,在挤出成型过程中加入未处理CAF,CAF-WF/HDPE复合材料拉伸强度、弯曲强度和冲击强度分别提高了32.1%、35.1%、515.1%;CAF采用硅烷偶联剂处理后,CAF-WF/HDPE复合材料对应的力学性能分别提高了42.0%、37.4%、550.2%。动态力学分析表明:表面处理后CAF与WF/HDPE复合材料的界面相容性得到改善。      

The effect of pre-softened wood chips on wood fibre aspect ratio and mechanical properties of wood–polymer composites

The objective of this work was to study the effect of chemical pre-treatment and moisture content of wood chips on the wood particle aspect ratio after compounding in a twin-screw extruder and on the mechanical properties of wood–polymer composites (WPCs). Composites with 50 wt.% wood content were manufactured using pre-treated and untreated wood chips. The effect of wood moisture content on composite properties was studied by using dried and undried wood chips. The mechanical properties and fracture surfaces of the composites as well as the microstructure and aspect ratio of wood particles after compounding were studied. The highest wood particle aspect ratio after extrusion was achieved by using pre-treated, undried wood chips as raw material. The chemical pre-treatment was found to enhance the defibration of wood chips as well as the mechanical properties of the composites.     

Effect of blend composition on the morphology and mechanical properties of microfibrillar composites

Various blend compositions of polyethyleneterphthalate (PET) and polyamide 6 (PA 6) were used to prepare microfibrillar composites (MFC's) in form of thin ribbons. Steps for preparation were: (1) blending, (2) extrusion, (3) fibrillation, and (4) isotropization. The latter step was performed at a temperature condition above the melting temperature of PA 6, but below that of PET. In this way PET microfibrils remained as reinforcing elements in the PA 6-matrix. Depending on the actual PET/PA 6 ratio, various fibril arrangements in terms of fibril length and uniformity of fibril distribution could be achieved. A reasonable improvement in mechanical properties was reached already at 30 wt. % PET in PA 6 which was in terms of tensile strength higher than a 30 wt. % short glass fiber filled PA 6 system.     

含硫偶联剂对木粉/橡胶-塑料三元复合材料力学性能及耐热性能的影响

以再生高密度聚乙烯（HDPE）、沙柳木粉和废轮胎胶粉为原材料,含硫偶联剂Si69为界面相容剂,采用模压法制备木粉/橡胶-塑料三元复合材料。考察Si69对木粉/橡胶-塑料三元复合材料力学性能及耐热性能的影响,并采用FTIR和SEM分析Si69改性前后废轮胎胶粉的表面特性及木粉/橡胶-塑料三元复合材料的微观断面形貌。结果表明:Si69与废轮胎胶粉发生了化学反应。当Si69添加量为5wt%时,木粉/橡胶-塑料三元复合材料的界面结合较佳,力学性能及耐热性能较优,其中弯曲强度、弯曲模量、拉伸强度较未添加Si69的木粉/橡胶-塑料三元复合材料分别提高了13.85%、7.24%和6.63%;维卡软化温度和热变形温度较未添加Si69的木粉/橡胶-塑料三元复合材料分别提高了6.95℃和8.70℃,Si69可在一定程度上提高木粉/橡胶-塑料三元材料的耐热性能。Si69添加量为7wt%时,木粉/橡胶-塑料三元复合材料的缺口冲击强度可达到3.99 k·Jm-2。      

Effect of surface functionalization on mechanical properties and decomposition kinetics of high performance polyetherimide/MWCNT nano composites

In this investigation, Polyetherimide (PEI) reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) using novel melt blending technique. Surface of MWCNTs are modified by acid treatment as well as by plasma treatment. PEI nano composites with 2 wt% treated MWCNT shows about 15% improvement in mechanical properties when compared to unfilled PEI. The thermal decomposition kinetics of PEI/MWCNT nano composites has been critically analyzed by using Coats – Redfern model. The increase in activation energy for thermal degradation by 699 kJ/mol for 2 wt% MWCNT implies improvement in the thermal properties of PEI. Studies under Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) depict significant interfacial adhesion with uniform dispersion of MWCNT in polymer matrix due to surface functionalization. 0.5 wt% chemically modified MWCNT shows typical alignment of MWCNT. There is a significant improvement in mechanical properties and thermal properties for surface functionalized MWCNT reinforced.     

Dimensional stability and mechanical behaviour of wood–plastic composites based on recycled and virgin high-density polyethylene (HDPE)

This paper investigated the stability, mechanical properties, and the microstructure of wood–plastic composites, which were made using either recycled or virgin high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with wood flour (Pinus radiata) as filler. The post-consumer HDPE was collected from plastics recycling plant and sawdust was obtained from a local sawmill. Composite panels were made from recycled HDPE through hot-press moulding exhibited excellent dimensional stability as compared to that made from virgin HDPE. The tensile and flexural properties of the composites based on recycled HDPE were equivalent to those based on virgin HDPE. Adding maleated polypropylene (MAPP) by 3–5 wt% in the composite formulation significantly improved both the stability and mechanical properties. Microstructure analysis of the fractured surfaces of MAPP modified composites confirmed improved interfacial bonding. Dimensional stability and strength properties of the composites can be improved by increasing the polymer content or by addition of coupling agent. This project has shown that the composites treated with coupling agents will be desirable as building materials due to their improved stability and strength properties.     

杨木纤维尺寸对热压成型杨木纤维/高密度聚乙烯复合材料力学和蠕变性能的影响

采用热压成型法制备了4种不同尺寸, 即125~180 μm、180~425 μm、425~850 μm和850~2 000 μm的杨木纤维(PWF)/高密度聚乙烯(HDPE)复合材料, 并对PWF/HDPE复合材料进行了弯曲性能测试、冲击性能测试、动态热力学分析(DMA)、24 h蠕变-24 h回复测试和1 000 h长期蠕变测试。结果表明:PWF的尺寸过大或者过小均不利于提高PWF/HDPE复合材料的弯曲性能, 增强效果最好的是425~850 μm PWF/HDPE复合材料, 其弯曲强度达到26.71 MPa, 弹性模量达到2.73 GPa;PWF长度从180 μm增加到2 000 μm, PWF/HDPE复合材料的抗冲击性能变化不大;125~180 μm PWF/HDPE复合材料的抗冲击性能较差;短PWF/HDPE复合材料的抗蠕变性能较差, 不适合在长期负载的条件下工作, 而850~2 000 μm的长PWF/HDPE复合材料的抗长期蠕变性能最好, 且回复率最高, 为78.46%;1 000 h形变仅为0.809 mm, 对比其他尺寸的PWF/HDPE复合材料1 000 h 形变的平均值降低了48.00%。      

Effects of gamma irradiation on polypropylene, polypropylene + high density polyethylene and polypropylene + high density polyethylene + wood flour

The effect of the gamma-irradiation on the mechanical properties of the composites, Polypropylene (PP), PP+high density Polyethylene (HDPE), PP+ HDPE+wood flour, where HDPE is virgin and recycled, was studied. This paper discusses the behavior of the composites after exposure to various doses of gamma irradiation (1–7 MRads) in the presence of oxygen. The dependence of mechanical properties on the integral dose for a constant dose rate of 0.48 MRads/h confirms the influence of the irradiation. Strong effects on the elongation at break and break strength is noticed. The mathematical analysis suggests for the PP+r-HDPE a bimolecular process of the elongation at break. On the order hand, for the PP+HDPE a complex process is represented for a three exponential equation. Received: 9 October 2000 / Reviewed and accepted: 10 October 2000