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 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.

No abstract

The effects of nanoclay content were investigated vs. the mechanical, thermal, and morphological characteristics of a nanocomposite made from poplar wood flour and polypropylene. The wood flour, polypropylene, nanoclay, and the maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) were mixed in an extruder, and the test specimens were made via injection casting. Then, the mechanical and thermal properties were examined. The results showed that the tensile strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus were improved when the wood flour content increased from 40% to 50%. Additionally, increasing the wood flour content from 40% to 60% enhanced the tensile modulus. The addition of nanoclay at dosages up to 2 wt% enhanced the tensile strength and the tensile modulus, whereas these properties were degraded with the addition of nanoclay at up to 4 wt%. The tensile strength and flexural modulus improved when the nanoclay content increased up to 4 wt%. The crystallinity enthalpy decreased when the wood flour content increased.