Comparative study on the properties of wood polymer composites based on different modified soybean oils

The growing awareness for greener and more sustainable technologies has focused the attention of researchers recently for the development of high performance biopolymer-based composites. Wood polymer composites (WPC) based on functionalized epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) and soft wood, Krishnachura (Delonix regia), were prepared by compression molding technique. ESO was functionalized by acrylic acid (AESO), methacrylic acid (MESO), and methacrylic anhydride (MAESO), which were used as matrices in the composite. Wood flour from soft wood was used as reinforcing agent. The fiber/resin ratio was maintained at 40:60. The composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Mechanical testing, limiting oxygen index (LOI), and swelling behavior were checked for the prepared composites. WPC based on methacrylic anhydride exhibited maximum improvement in properties.