Preparation and Characterisation of Wood Polymer Composites Using Sustainable Raw Materials

Abstract

In recent years, composites consisting of polymers and cellulosic materials have attracted increasing research attention. Polypropylene (PP) is among the most common polymer types found in excavated waste from landfills. Moreover, wood waste generated from wood products manufacturing such as sawdust (SD) offers a good potential for the fabrication of composite materials, and it is readily available in the environment. In this paper, wood polymer composites (WPC) consisting of recycled PP (rPP) and (SD) were prepared and characterised. A range of mechanical properties, including tensile strength, flexural properties, creep and hardness were studied, along with morphology, thermal properties, water degradation and contact angle. The results showed that the mechanical and thermal properties of rPP increased with an increase in 40 wt% of the SD content. Furthermore, the SD content significantly influenced the water uptake of the composites. Time–temperature superposition (TTS) was applied to predict the long-term mechanical performance from short-term accelerated creep tests at a range of elevated temperatures. The short-term creep test showed efficient homogeneity between the fillers and matrix with increasing temperature. The produced wood polymer composites displayed a comparable physical property to virgin polymer and wood and could potentially be used for various structural materials.

The Water Absorption and Thermal Properties of Green Pterocarpus Angolensis ( Mukwa )-Polylactide Composites

“…The reinforcing effect of mukwa wood fibers improved the toughness of mukwa-PLA interface, increasing the overall hardness of neat PLA. A similar trend has been observed on polymeric composites reinforced with lignocellulosic material (Nukala, Kong, et al 2022, Nukala, Kong, et al 2022a, Das, Sarmah and Bhattacharyya 2016.…”

“…Five samples of each composite of dimensions (50 x 50 x 8.5) mm 3 were prepared and tested according to the ASTM E-384 standard, and the standard deviation (SD) was calculated. A major load of HV 0.3 intender was applied on the biocomposites for 10s (dwelling time) (Nukala, Kong, et al 2022a). The indentations were analysed using an optical microscope equipped with an HD camera at a magnification of X20.…”

Development of Biodegradable Composites Using Polycaprolactone and Bamboo Powder

“…Notably, most polymeric products are developed from non-biodegradable polymers, which can take years to degrade at the end of the product life cycle [ 3 ]. Therefore, researchers have been actively seeking ways to reduce the environmental impacts of polymeric products through the practice of reducing, reusing, and recycling [ 4 , 5 ]. Thus, there is a glowing interest in exploiting new eco-friendly materials based on biodegradable polymers to reduce environmental hazards [ 6 ].…”

Enhancement of properties of walnut shell/attapulgite/polyvinyl chloride composites with ultrasonic and hydrothermal treatment

“…The composites were dried before testing, so that the high water loss may have resulted from the decomposition of combined water molecules due to the high hydrophilicity of WS in the composites. 40,41 The second stage was the major decomposition stage, which occurred between 260 C and 500 C and led to the most significant mass loss. 42 As a result of the breaking and recombination of cellulose molecules caused by thermal depolymerization, a shoulder peak containing the central peak and a side peak simultaneously is apparent.…”