Effects of nanoclay and coupling agent on the physico‐mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties of wood flour/polypropylene composites

Abstract

This article presents the effects of coupling agent and nanoclay (NC) on some properties of wood flour/polypropylene composites. The composites with different NC and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) contents were fabricated by melt compounding in a twin‐screw extruder and then by injection molding. The mass ratio of the wood flour to polymer was 40/60 (w/w). Results showed that applying MAPP on the surface of the wood flour can promote filler polymer interaction, which, in turn, would improve mechanical properties of the composite as well as its water uptake and thermal stability. Composite voids and the lumens of the fibers were filled with NC, which prevented the penetration of water by the capillary action into the deeper parts of composite. Therefore, the water absorption in composites fabricated using NC was significantly reduced. Scanning electron microscopy has shown that the treatment of composites with 5 wt% MAPP, promotes better fiber–matrix interaction, resulting in a few numbers of pull‐out traces. In all cases, the degradation temperatures shifted to higher values after using MAPP. The largest improvement on the thermal stability of composites was achieved when NC was added. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers

Some Exploitation Properties of Wood Plastic Hybrid Composites Based on Polypropylene and Plywood Production Waste

“…At this MAPP on the surface of the fibres. MAPP also promotes better distribution of the fibres in polymer matrix [13,19]. Optimal content of the MAPP in investigated WPHC could be 5-7 wt.%.…”

“…Summarizing previous studies, such improvements in the physicalmechanical properties of all filled materials could be explained by decreasing heterogeneity of WPC and as a result of the maleated polypropylene positive effect to increase the interfacial interaction on the surface of the fibres. MAPP also promotes better distribution of the fibres in polymer matrix [13,19]. Optimal content of the MAPP in investigated WPHC could be 5-7 wt.%.…”

“…To reach better distribution of nanoclay particles in polymer matrix and intensification of adhesive interaction between fillers and polymer, interfacial modifiers like maleated polyolefines (MAPE, MAPP) are often used [2, 10, 12, 15-17, 19, 20, 22]. Scanning electron microscopy investigations also show positive influence of MAPE and MAPP modifiers on WPC hybridcomposites properties [12,14,19,20,24]. Furthermore, it is possible to make wood fibre and nanoclay hybridcomposites by mixing fillers in polymer melts [2,16,18,20,21].…”

“…Scanning electron microscopy investigations also show positive influence of MAPE and MAPP modifiers on WPC hybridcomposites properties [12,14,19,20,24]. Furthermore, it is possible to make wood fibre and nanoclay hybridcomposites by mixing fillers in polymer melts [2,16,18,20,21]. The best method is to mix components in twin-screw extruder [14].…”

“…SEM investigations also confirmed positive action of coupling agent on strengthening of adhesion interaction between components wood and PP matrix. Another way how to make better properties of the WPC is to form hybridcomposites [1,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. Very popular WPC modifiers are nanoparticle additions like organonanoclays, which increase WPC physical-mechanical properties -microhardness, water resistance and diminish barrier properties and combustibility [1, 2, 14-17, 19, 20].…”