Increased Water Resistance of Bamboo Flour/Polyethylene Composites

Abstract

To improve the water resistance of bamboo flour/high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites, the effects of "plastic content," "coupling agents," and the "addition of micro-fibrillated cellulose (MFC)" on formulations were studied, and their rheological and mechanical properties were evaluated. The composites were prepared by injecting molding with a basic composition of equivalent amounts of bamboo flour and HDPE, and the melting fluidity of the compounds, tensile strength, and tensile modulus of the composites were determined. An increase in water resistance was detected in all three tests. By increasing the "plastic content," negative effect such as a decreased tensile modulus was observed. When evaluating the compatibility between bamboo flour and plastic using "coupling agents" and "MFC addition," positive effects were noted for water resistance, melting fluidity, and tensile modulus. We also confirmed that the procedure used to increase the compatibility between bamboo flour and plastic could easily be used for industrial applications by changing the coupling agents. Overall, a novel positive property (increased tensile modulus) and an increased water resistance were observed after "MFC addition."

Qualitatively and quantitatively characterizing water adsorption of a cellulose nanofiber film using micro-FTIR spectroscopy

“…6,7 However, hydrophilic cellulose nanober lm adsorbs water under hydrothermal conditions, which strongly affects its surface behavior and can lead to reliability problems. 8,9 Consequently, the water adsorption mechanisms of cellulose nanober lm need to be fully understood in order for this sustainable raw material to be efficiently utilized.…”

The Effects of Wet-Milled Wood Flour on the Mechanical Properties of Wood Flour/Polypropylene Composites

“…The authors reported that the mechanical properties and water resistance of bamboo flour/highdensity polyethylene (HDPE) composites are enhanced by the addition of micro-fibrillated cellulose prepared by wet ball-milling commercial cellulose powder. [7] Mechanical dry grinding pulverizes cellulosic materials into fine particles, and prolonged pulverization leads to increased flocculation. [8] Excessive pulverization of the wood flour by dry ballmilling had a negative effect on the mechanical properties of the WPC made with it.…”

Mechanical properties of wood/plastic composites formed using wood flour produced by wet ball-milling under various milling times and drying methods

“…WF formed by ball-milling is also used to produce WPCs [11][12][13]. The tensile and flexural strengths of WPCs containing wet ball-milling WF had high strength by surface fibrous structure on WF [11,12]. The strength did not improve in the WPCs containing dry ball-milling WF [13].…”

“…In the previous studies, milled WF was vacuum-and freeze-dried [11][12][13]. During heat drying, WF becomes easily aggregated through rapid water vaporization.…”