Physical and mechanical properties of wood plastic composites polystyrene-white oak wood flour

Abstract

This study examines the effect of particle size and wood flour content on the properties of polystyrene filled with white oak flour. Wood-plastic ratios 10:90, 30:70 and 50:50% (wt/wt) and particle size 40, 50, 65 and 100 mesh were used. Tensile, bending and impact bending strength as well as the melt flow index were evaluated. Additionally, composite density and water absorption capacity were also tested. Scanning electronic microscopy revealed good adhesion between wood particles and polystyrene. Results show that mechanical properties are strongly influenced by wood flour content and particle size. A reduction in tensile module, elongation and deflection were observed, however, the bending module was increased. Impact strength increased with particle size and content. Melt flow index values are reduced with the increasing amount of filler content while water absorption increases with the amount of wood particles.

Blast furnace slags as functional fillers on rheological, thermal, and mechanical behavior of thermoplastics

“…It is important to notice that strain‐at‐break values were always greater than ultimate strain values for most composite formulations, suggesting that incorporation of slag microfiller, although untreated, introduced a modest toughening effect on PS. That came in agreement with some reported PS systems …”

Studies on Mechanical Performance of Wood-Plastic Composites: Polystyrene-Eucalyptus globulus Labill

“…In other words, less energy is required to create a fracture. This tendency was observed in this study with composites using larger wood particles (Flores et al 2014). Some of the wood particles were totally covered by the polymer (Fig.…”

“…Wood-plastic composites (WPCs) are materials that have remarkable properties, such as high strength and durability, low density, and high elastic moduli (Sanjuan and Jasso 2009). Other characteristics that support their application are their low cost as a result of the vast availability of natural fibers (Lightsey 1983;Zadorecki and Michell 1989), an excellent dimensional integrity under humidity exposure (Maldas and Kokta 1991;Flores et al 2014), and a significant resistance against fungus and termites (Mankowski and Morrel 2000;Verhey et al 2001;Lomelí et al 2009). …”

“…Furthermore, Lisperguer et al (2007) studied the effect of the acetylation of wood on the thermal behavior of composites based on wood and polystyrene. Flores et al (2014) reported the physical and mechanical properties of composites formed by polystyrene/white oak, finding that the melt fluid index and water absorption strongly depended on the wood particle concentration. Moreover, the Young's modulus increases as the size of the wood particles decreases.…”

Modeling of nonlinear viscoelasticity-viscoplasticity of bio-based polymer composites

“…Especially wood polymer composites (WPC), although not as popular as composites with inorganic fillers, offer biodegradable materials, if a wood-flour is combined with a biodegradable polymer [4]. WPC's are materials with good properties, such as durability, excellent sound absorbing capacity, low density, high strength and modulus of elasticity [5]. A competitive advantage of WPC's is the low cost and availability of natural fibers.…”