The effects of the amount of nanographene on physical, mechanical, and thermal properties and morphology of the wood-plastic composites were investigated. This wood-plastic was made using recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE), nanographene, and wood flour. Four weight levels, 0, 0.5, 1.5, or 2.5 wt.% of nanographene, were combined with 70% polymeric matrix and 30% lignocellulosic material with an internal mixer. The results showed that by increasing the amount of nanographene up to 0.5% by weight, the flexural strength, flexural modulus, and notched impact strength of the composite increased. After adding 2.5 wt.% nanographene, these properties were reduced. By increasing the amount of nanographene, both the amount of residual ash and the thermal stability increased. Study of the images from scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that the samples containing 0.5% of nanographene had less pores and were smoother than other samples.
The flammability behavior of wood/plastic nanocomposites made from recycled polystyrene, wood flour, and nanoclay were investigated in this study. The wood flour was mixed, using the two weight ratios of 40 wt.% and 60 wt.% with recycled polystyrene, and nanoclay was added at 0 wt.% and 5 wt.%. A coupling agent was also added at up to 3 wt.% of the composite. The results showed that the oxygen index increased when higher contents of wood flour were added. Furthermore, it was found that the samples required more oxygen for ignition when the percentage of wood flour was increased. Similarly, it was found that the samples required a greater amount of oxygen for ignition with increasing nanoclay content. Therefore, the flammability of the sample decreased because the time to ignition took longer in the absence of sufficient oxygenation. X-ray analysis of the nanocomposites revealed that the morphological structure involved intercalation.
The effects of steamed Populus deltoides fiber were studied relative to the physical, mechanical, and morphological characteristics of composites made from virgin polypropylene. Fibers of Populus deltoides were used during the reinforcement phase at 180 °C for 1 h. The tests were carried out with 57% of virgin polypropylene that was combined with 3% of maleic anhydride-modified polypropylene and 40% of wood fiber. The wood fiber portion consisted of either non-steamed fiber, steamed fiber, and an equal mixture of the two kinds of fiber. Mixing was done using an internal mixer at 180 °C and 60 rpm, and the standard samples were constructed by injection molding. Then, the physical and mechanical characteristics of samples were measured. To consider compatibility between the matrix and reinforcement phase, SEM pictures were taken from the break surface of composite samples. The results showed that the composites' strengths were affected by steam, as components having steamed fibers had the best mechanical strength and dimensional stability, and also the least water absorption and thickness swelling.
The effect of nanographene amount was evaluated relative to the physical, mechanical, thermal, and morphological features of wood-plastic composites. Composites were prepared using recycled polyethylene (high-density polyethylene), nanographene, and wood-flour. The amount of 80% of polymer matrix and 20% of wood flour, and nanographene at four weight levels of 0.5%, 1.5%, and 2.5%, were used. An internal mixture was utilized for making the samples. The results showed that with the 0.5 wt% increase of the amount of nanographene, the tensile and flexural strengths, the flexural and tensile modulus and the notched impact strength composite increased. With the addition of 2.5 wt% nanographene, these properties decreased. With the increase of the level of nanographene by 2.5 wt%, water absorption and the thickness swelling of the composite decreased. With the increase of the level of nanographene, the level of residue ash and thermal stability also increased. Scanning electron microscope images showed that the samples with 0.5 wt% nanographene had less holes and a smoother surface compared to the other samples.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.