Comparison of the Physico-Mechanical and Weathering Properties of Wood–Plastic Composites Made of Wood Fibers from Discarded Parts of Pomelo Trees and Polypropylene

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to compare the characteristics of wood–plastic composites (WPCs) made of polypropylene (PP) and wood fibers (WFs) from discarded stems, branches, and roots of pomelo trees. The results show that the WPCs made of 30–60 mesh WFs from stems have better physical, flexural, and tensile properties than other WPCs. However, the flexural strengths of all WPCs are not only comparable to those of commercial wood–PP composites but also meet the strength requirements of the Chinese National Standard for exterior WPCs. In addition, the color change of WPCs that contained branch WFs was lower than that of WPCs that contained stem or root WFs during the initial stage of the accelerated weathering test, but the surface color parameters of all WPCs were very similar after 500 h of xenon arc accelerated weathering. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs showed many cracks on the surfaces of WPCs after accelerated weathering for 500 h, but their flexural modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) values did not differ significantly during weathering. Thus, all the discarded parts of pomelo trees can be used to manufacture WPCs, and there were no significant differences in their weathering properties during 500 h of xenon arc accelerated weathering.

Desenvolvimento e caracterização de um compósito polimérico a partir do endocarpo de murumuru (Astrocaryum murumuru Mart.) e poliolefinas recicladas

“…O espectro confirmam claramente a intensidade de banda referente ao estiramento do C=O do grupo acetil presente na estrutura da hemicelulose em comprimento de onda na faixa de 1735 cm -1 , semelhante ao relatado por HUNG et al [28].…”

Effect of low/high hybrid of coffee husk powder on weathering resistance of WPCs composites

“…Among these, xenon weathering most closely mimics natural conditions, simulating an environment of irradiance, temperature, humidity, water, and light, based on empirical weathering data. This approach facilitates the rapid assessment of the compounds' resistance to weathering under outdoor conditions [7,8].…”