Determination of technological properties of wood plastic nanocomposites produced by flat press reinforced with nano MgO

Abstract

In this study, wood plastic nanocomposites (WPNC) reinforced with nano magnesium oxide (MgO) were produced in a flat press using the dry blending method. It is aimed to investigate the technological properties of the produced WPNC panels. To achieve this aim, scots pine wood flour, waste polypropylene (PP), maleic anhydride grafted PP (MAPP) and nano MgO were mixed and combined in eight different formulations by dry blending method. The densities, water absorption and thickness swelling, tensile strength, bending strength, modulus of elasticity (MOE), surface roughness and Shore D hardness properties of the obtained WPNC panels were determined. On the other hand, scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs were obtained to determine the morphological properties of WPNCs. Nano MgO and MAPP reinforcement positively affected the technological properties of flat-pressed WPNC panels. It was determined that increasing nano MgO ratio and MAPP reinforcement increased the water resistance of WPNC panels. It has been determined that the use of MAPP and nano MgO significantly improves the mechanical properties of WPNC panels. When the SEM micrographs of WPNC panels were examined, it was observed that large voids were formed especially in WPNC panels that without MAPP and nano MgO, and these voids were largely eliminated with the increase of MAPP reinforcement and nano MgO ratio. Following the technological results obtained within the scope of this study, it is recommended to conduct new studies to investigate the biological resistance of nano MgO reinforced WPNCs due to the known antibacterial, catalytic and photocatalytic properties of nano MgO.

Effect of Processing Technology, Nanomaterial and Coupling Agent Ratio on Some Physical, Mechanical, and Thermal Properties of Wood Polymer Nanocomposites

“…On the other hand, when SEM micrographs are examined, it is understood that WPNCs produced by the extrusion method (Figure 2a -2b -2c and 2d) show a more homogeneous distribution than WPNCs produced by the dry blending method (Figure 2e -2f -2g and 2h). Birinci [30], in his study, said that the voids in the SEM images of the nanocomposites produced by using the dry blending -flat press method are due to the production method.…”

Effect of Processing Technology, Nanomaterial and Coupling Agent Ratio on Some Physical, Mechanical, and Thermal Properties of Wood Polymer Nanocomposites

“…On the other hand, when SEM micrographs are examined, it is understood that the WPNCs produced using the extrusion method (Figure 2a-d) show a more homogeneous distribution than the WPNCs produced using the dry blending method (Figure 2e-h). Birinci [29], in his study, said that the voids in the SEM images of the nanocomposites produced using the dry blending-flat press method were due to the production method.…”

Production and Characterization of Wood Polystyrene Composite from Recycled Waste Materials

“…The increase in wood prices in the world has forced manufacturers to produce woodplastic mixture (WPC) products. WPC made of wood flour and thermoplastic(s) such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or polystyrene (PS) (Najafi et al, 2007;Adhikary et al, 2008;Birinci, 2023;Nelson et al, 2023). These materials have gained popularity because of their low-maintenance, sustainable alternative to traditional wood decking, fencing, and cladding materials (Friedrich and Luible, 2016;Agarwal and Gupta, 2017;Saba et al, 2017;Partanen and Carus, 2019).…”