Polypropylene-based composites reinforced with waste tropic wood flours: Determination of accelerated weathering resistance, tribological, and thermal properties

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of Iroko wood flour (WF) and nano-titanium dioxide (TiO2) concentration on the properties of polypropylene (PP)-based composites, including accelerated weathering resistance, tribological behavior, thermal stability, physical characteristics, mechanical strength, morphological features, color changes, and surface roughness. The results showed that the presence of WF and TiO2 significantly influenced the density, hardness, thermal stability, crystallinity, coefficient of friction, and wear rate of the composites. Both fillers positively impacted the tensile strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus of the composites, although the elongation at break values decreased. TiO2 addition enhanced thermal stability and protection against UV radiation, whereas using wood flour negatively affected color properties. Moreover, the surface roughness of the composites was affected by weathering time and wood flour content. These findings highlight the potential of WF and TiO2 as effective fillers for enhancing PP-based composites’ properties and weathering resistance.

Utilization of flours from hemp stalks as reinforcement in polypropylene matrix

“…As a result, lignocellulosic fiber-reinforced polymer composites can achieve a higher flexural modulus than unfilled polymers. Similar results have been reported in other studies (Espinach et al 2013;Mengeloğlu and Çavuş 2020;Başboğa 2023).…”

“…Consequently, the elongation at break (EatB) values of WPCs decreased. Similar results were reported in previous studies (Zaini et al 1996;Balla et al 2019;Çavuş and Mengeloğlu 2020;Başboğa et al 2023;Kilic et al 2023).…”

“…This difference is thought to be due to cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, the main components of hemp stalks. Others have also reported that these three components increase the thermal decomposition temperature in WPCs (Şeker Hirçin et al 2021;Başboğa 2023). The second stage of the degradation started when the temperature reached approximately 215 °C, and above this temperature (Tonset-Tendset range), a rapid increase (Fig.…”

“…Compared to the FS values of unfilled and HS-filled PP, an average improvement of 17% was observed in the groups without MAPP and an average improvement of 34% in the groups with MAPP. It is thought that after a lignocellulosic fiber with higher bending strength is compounded into the polymer matrix, effective load transfer from the polymer to the fiber occurs when force is applied (Başboğa 2023). Furthermore, MAPP addition to HS-filled formulations resulted in an average improvement of approximately 14.5% in FS values.…”

Enhancing Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Polymer Matrix Nanocomposites through Tailored Nanomaterial Architectures

“…Characterization of the functionalized nanomaterials was done using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to confirm functionalization and morphology [17]. TEM and SEM provided insights into its basic judgment and inspection conveyance.…”