Small-diameter trees used for chemithermomechanical pulps.

Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites

Grewell

et al. 2014

Studies aimed at improving the tensile, flexural, impact, thermal, and physical characteristics of wood-plastic composites composed of Paulownia wood flour derived from 36-month-old trees blended with polypropylene were conducted. Composites of 25% and 40% w/w of Paulownia wood were produced by twin-screw compounding and injection molding. Composites containing 0-10% by weight of maleated polypropylene were evaluated and an optimum maleated polypropylene concentration determined, i.e., 5%. The particle size distribution of Paulownia wood filler is shown to have an effect on the tensile and flexural properties of the composites. Novel combination composites of dried distiller's grain with solubles mixed with Paulownia wood (up to 40% w/w) were produced and their properties evaluated. Depending on the composite tested, soaking composites for 872 h alters mechanical properties and causes weight gain. RightsWorks produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S. The content of this document is not copyrighted. Abstract Studies aimed at improving the tensile, flexural, impact, thermal, and physical characteristics of wood-plastic composites composed of Paulownia wood flour derived from 36-month-old trees blended with polypropylene were conducted. Composites of 25% and 40% w/w of Paulownia wood were produced by twin-screw compounding and injection molding. Composites containing 0-10% by weight of maleated polypropylene were evaluated and an optimum maleated polypropylene concentration determined, i.e., 5%. The particle size distribution of Paulownia wood filler is shown to have an effect on the tensile and flexural properties of the composites. Novel combination composites of dried distiller's grain with solubles mixed with Paulownia wood (up to 40% w/w) were produced and their properties evaluated. Depending on the composite tested, soaking composites for 872 h alters mechanical properties and causes weight gain.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of particle size, coupling agent and DDGS additions on Paulownia wood polypropylene composites

Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites

Grewell

et al. 2014

“…Several different alternative woody biomass sources of WF have been suggested (LeVan-Green and Livingston 2001; Myers et al 2003). For instance, harvesting smalldiameter trees derived from forest under-stories or brush conditions offers a source of wood for both bio-energy and WPC industries (LeVan-Green and Livingston 2001; Myers et al 2003;White 2010). Another source of wood could be short-rotational woody crops (SRWC) from fast-growing trees (English and Ewing 2002;White 2010;Zahedi et al 2012;Slater et al 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wood-plastic composites utilizing wood flours derived from fast-growing trees common to the Midwest

Gravett

et al. 2017

BioRes

There are several non-utilized or under-utilized hardwood trees common to the Midwestern states. Wood flour (WF) derived from fast-growing Midwest trees (Osage orange, black locust, and red mulberry) were evaluated as a source of bio-based fiber reinforcement. Wood-plastic composites (WPCs) of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), 25 wt.% of WF, and either 0% or 5% by weight of maleated polyethylene (MAPE) were produced via twin screw compounding and injection molding. Specimen bars were evaluated for their mechanical and flexural properties. Composite blends that employed the coupling agent MAPE were superior to composites without MAPE or neat HDPE in terms of their mechanical and flexural properties. The Osage orange WPC composed of juvenile WF had mechanical and flexural properties that were the same as the WPC composed of mature WF. The WPC composed of WF from Midwestern trees were comparable with the WPC composed of pine WF in terms of their mechanical and flexural properties. Soaking the bars of the various WPC blends in distilled water for 28 days altered their weights, mechanical properties, and color. Thermal properties of neat HDPE and WPCs were evaluated using differential scanning colorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis.

“…[16][17][18][19][20][21] For example, harvesting small diameter trees obtained from forest understories or brush conditions offers a source of wood waste materials for bioenergy as well as WF for WPC. 17,18 Short rotational woody crops (SRWC) utilizing ''fast-growing trees'' are another option to obtain inexpensive sawdust and WF. 20 Utilization of marginal land has been suggested as the potential sites for bioenergy woody tree crops.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Paulownia elongata wood polyethylene composites

Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials

Joshee

et al. 2013

Paulownia wood flour (PWF), a by-product of milling lumber, was employed as a biofiller and blended with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) via extrusion. Paulownia wood (PW) shavings were milled through a 1-mm screen and then separated via shaking into various particle fractions (600-74 mm) using sieves (#30->#200 US Standards). The influence of a commercial coupling agent, maleated polyethylene (MAPE), used at various concentrations (0, 1, 3, 5, or 10% w/w) with HDPE and wood particles obtained from a #50-mesh sieve, is examined. Incorporation of high concentrations of MAPE (approximately 5%) in HDPE-PWF blends improved tensile strength compared to lower MAPE concentrations ( 3%). Particle size of wood significantly influenced the mechanical properties of the biocomposite. HDPE-MAPE blends containing smaller wood particles (<180 mm) had higher tensile strength than neat HDPE or blends containing larger particles (>300 mm). Young's modulus for all HDPE-PWF-MAPE blends was 14-27% higher than that of neat HDPE. Generally, incubation of tensile bars of various HDPE-PWF blends in 95% humidity for 28 days reduced the mechanical properties approximately by 5%. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed a slight reduction in the percentage crystallinity among various HDPE-PW blends.