A Critical Review on Wood-Based Polymer Composites: Processing, Properties, and Prospects

Abstract

Waste recycling is one of the key aspects in current day studies to boost the country’s circular economy. Recycling wood from construction and demolished structures and combining it with plastics forms wood-polymer composites (WPC) which have a very wide scope of usage. Such recycled composites have very low environmental impact in terms of abiotic potential, global warming potential, and greenhouse potential. Processing of WPCs can be easily done with predetermined strength values that correspond to its end application. Yet, the usage of conventional polymer composite manufacturing techniques such as injection molding and extrusion has very limited scope. Many rheological characterization techniques are being followed to evaluate the influence of formulation and process parameters over the quality of final WPCs. It will be very much interesting to carry out a review on the material formulation of WPCs and additives used. Manufacturing of wood composites can also be made by using bio-based adhesives such as lignin, tannin, and so on. Nuances in complete replacement of synthetic adhesives as bio-based adhesives are also discussed by various researchers which can be done only by complete understanding of formulating factors of bio-based adhesives. Wood composites play a significant role in many non-structural and structural applications such as construction, floorings, windows, and door panels. The current review focuses on the processing of WPCs along with additives such as wood flour and various properties of WPCs such as mechanical, structural, and morphological properties. Applications of wood-based composites in various sectors such as automotive, marine, defense, and structural applications are also highlighted in this review.

Development of Wood Polymer Composites from Recycled Wood and Plastic Waste: Thermal and Mechanical Properties

“…Wood is a renewable and low-carbon material [2,3]. It has been widely used in different interior and exterior applications [4,5], such as decking materials [6], fencing [7], landscaping timbers [8], furniture, and automobile products [9]. However, the main drawbacks of wood are their liability to distort with the absorption of moisture and their vulnerability to degradation by microorganisms [10,11].…”

“…Eco-friendly and sustainable composites have been produced to save the ecosystem [9,22,23]. However, most of the research on WPCs focused on the use of either recycled plastic or recycled wood [24,25].…”

Novel Biodegradable Poly (Lactic Acid)/Wood Leachate Composites: Investigation of Antibacterial, Mechanical, Morphological, and Thermal Properties

“…In recent years, the enhanced environmental awareness, the increased need for sustainable and “green” materials, as well as the stringent legislative regulations related to waste management and cascading use of natural resources have forced many researchers to develop novel biodegradable polymers as a viable alternative to conventional polymers [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Despite the numerous advantages of biocomposites such as the potential to create a sustainable industry as well as enhancement in various properties such as durability, flexibility, high gloss, clarity, and tensile strength, there are certain drawbacks, such as deteriorated physical and mechanical properties, poor interface adhesion, brittleness, lower thermal resistance and water absorption, susceptibility to fungi and insect attacks, etc., limiting their wider application as functional materials [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) is one of the most suitable biodegradable polymers widely employed in many applications ranging from the biomedical field, e.g., in engineered drug delivery systems [ 10 , 11 ], tissue engineering (scaffolds) [ 12 , 13 ], and wound dressing [ 14 , 15 ] to food packaging and disposable plastic bags [ 16 , 17 , 18 ] due to its versatility, excellent processability, and biocompatibility.…”

Some Properties of Wood Plastic Composites Made from Rubberwood, Recycled Plastic and Silica

“…In a previous study carried out by Ramesh et al different aspects of wood based polymer composites were reviewed and the use of various additives to improve the overall properties, including mositure resistance and bonding strength of the experimental samples was emphasized [20]. The characteristics of wood plastic composites manufactured from pecan orchard waste were also investigated in a study, determining that increasing the amount of pecan flour in the panels increased their tensile properties [21].…”