Effect of Coupling Agent Concentration, Fiber Content, and Size on Mechanical Properties of Wood/HDPE Composites

Abstract

In this study, the influence of coupling agent concentration (0 and 3 wt%), wood fiber content (50, 60, 70, and 80 wt%), and size (40-60, 80-100, and 160-180 mesh) on the mechanical properties of wood=high-density-polyethylene (HDPE) composites (WPCs) was investigated. WPC samples were prepared with poplar wood-flour, HDPE, and polyethylene maleic anhydride copolymer (MAPE) as coupling agent. It was found that the tensile properties and the flexural properties of the composites were improved by the addition of 3 wt% MAPE, and the improved interfacial adhesion was well confirmed by SEM micrographs. It was also observed that the best mechanical properties of wood= HDPE composites can be reached with larger particle size in the range studied, while too-small particle size was adverse for the mechanical properties of wood=HDPE composites. Moreover, the tensile modulus, tensile strength, and flexural strength of WPCs decreased with the increase in fiber content from 50 to 80 wt%; the flexural modulus of WPCs increased with the increase in fiber content from 50 to 70 wt% and then decreased as the fiber content reached 80 wt%. The variances in property performance are helpful for the end-user to choose an appropriate coupling agent (MAPE) concentration, wood fiber content, and particle size based on performance needs and cost considerations.

Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Maple Reinforced LLDPE Produced by Rotational Moulding: Effect of Fibre Content and Surface Treatment

“…A similar trend was observed by Ward-Perron et al 28 and Jayaraman et al 29 . This behaviour is related to poor fibre-matrix adhesion limiting interfacial stress transfer 28,30 . On the other hand, the tensile strength of TF composites is close to or slightly above the neat LLDPE value (15.5 MPa).…”

Determination of biological performance, dimensional stability, mechanical and thermal properties of wood–plastic composites produced from recycled chromated copper arsenate-treated wood

“…The same trend has also been reported in other studies. [19][20][21] Despite the hydrophobic character of recycled CCAtreated wood flour, the mechanical properties of WPCs produced from these particles were improved with the addition of a coupling agent. Recycled CCA wood flour exhibited better adhesion between the particles and the polymer matrix, but unfilled spaces remained because pulled out fibre could still be observed in the WPCs.…”

Quantifying effects of compositional variations on microstructural properties of polypropylene-wood fiber composites by melt rheology and tensile test data

“…Using of several additives and various formulation and/or processing attempts have been extensively studied so far to increase interfacial adhesion between components of WPCs. 3–15 Maleic anhydride grafted polyolefins (PE-g-MA, PP-g-MA, etc.) appear to be the most effective compatibilizers or coupling agents for WPCs.…”