Fabrication and mechanical properties of glass fiber‐reinforced wood plastic hybrid composites

Abstract

To fully utilize the resource in the municipal solid waste (MSW) and improve the strength and toughness of wood plastic composites, glass fiber (GF)-reinforced wood plastic hybrid composites (GWPCs) were prepared through compounding of recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) from MSW, waste wood fibers, and chopped GF. Mechanical tests of GWPCs specimens with varying amounts of GF content were carried out and the impact fractured surface of GWPCs was observed through scanning electron microscope (SEM). The tensile strength of GWPCs and the efficiency coefficient values were predicted by Kelly-Tyson method. The results indicated that the tensile strength and impact strength of GWPCs could be improved simultaneously by adding type L chopped GF (L-GF), and would be dropped down when type S chopped GF (S-GF) was included. The tensile strength of GWPCs was well accordant with the experimental result. The efficiency coefficient values of S-GF and L-GF are À0.19 and 0.63, respectively. Inspection of SEM micrographs indicated that L-GF had achieved full adhesion with the plastic matrix through addition of maleic anhydride-g-polyethylene. The main fracture modes of GWPCs included pullout of GF, broken of matrix, and interfacial debonding. Because of the synergistic effects between hybrid components in GF/wood fiber/ HDPE hybrid system, a special 3D network microstructure was formed, which was the main contribution to the significant improvement in the tensile strength and impact strength of L-GF-reinforced hybrid composites.

Glass fiber/wood flour modified high density polyethylene composites

“…The explanation for such results is that the method of epoxy-silane treating could reduce the polarity of hydroxyl groups on surface of the fibers (WF/GF) to some degrees, 8 but the fibers were still polar not compatible with HDPE well, though the epoxy-silane contained carbon-carbon bond, it was not enough to make the interfacial ad-hesion better. [5][6][7] Therefore, compatibilizer could be needed to enhance the interfacial adhesion between fibers and HDPE which will be discussed in the following part. Figure 2 gives the SEM images of the composites without compatibilizer.…”

“…The interfacial adhesion is vital to WPCs due to the chemically incompatibility between the hydrophobic matrix and hydrophilic fibers 5. Many physical and chemical methods have been used so far 6, 7. Chemical coupling by using various coupling agents or polymer compatibilizers is proved the most effective way, the main function of chemical coupling is to react with the hydroxyl groups on the fiber surface, making the surface wettable by the polymer to promote covalent bonding with the matrix 6, 8.…”

“…Cui et al6 manufactured the GWPCs from recycled waste PE, waste wood flours and chopped glass fibers indicating that type L chopped GF had achieved full adhesion with the plastic matrix through the addition of maleic anhydride‐ g ‐polyethylene. Thwe and Liao11 found MAPP is an effective coupling agent for PP/bamboo‐glass fiber composites, and the mechanical properties increased with incorporation of GF before environmental aging.…”

Effect of hybridization and compatibilization on the mechanical properties of recycled polypropylene‐hemp composites

“…Hybrid composites are materials with two or more types of reinforcing phases. Most of the experimental works performed on natural fiber reinforced hybrid composites contain only one natural fiber, while the other reinforcements are usually from manmade sources 11–13. The main objective to use natural fiber is related to their lower density and weight reduction of final products 14.…”

Density reduction behaviors and cell morphology in extrusion of LLDPE/wood fiber composites with physical and chemical blowing agents

“…[4][5][6] The use of nanosized clay particles, [7][8][9][10] to change the polymer matrix, not only enhanced the mechanical properties but also increased the flame retarding properties of WPC. By incorporating a secondary reinforcing fibers such as glass fibers [11][12][13][14][15][16] or carbon fibers [17][18][19] into WPC matrix, their mechanical properties were significantly increased.…”