Study of Wood Plastic Composites elastic behaviour using full field measurements

Abstract

Abstract. In this study, the mechanical properties and microstructure of HDPE/wood fibre composites are investigated. The four-point bending and tensile behaviour of Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) with or without additive are studied by using full-field strain measurements by 3-D Digital Image Correlation (3-D DIC). A non-linear behaviour is shown. The modulus of elasticity (MOE) is calculated as the tangent at zero strain of a Maxwell-Bingham model fitted onto experimental data. Four-point bending tests are analyzed thanks to the spatial standard deviation of the longitudinal strain field to determine the degree of heterogeneity. Cyclic tensile tests have been performed in order to analyze the damage of the material. Moreover, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is used to characterize the morphology of the wood fibre/HDPE matrix interface for specimens with maleic anhydride modified polyethylene additive (MAPE).

Mechanical and Rheological Behaviour of Composites Reinforced with Natural Fibres

“…There is a linear relationship between the increase of the fibre content and the increase of the elastic modulus of the composite [ 35 , 36 , 37 ]. The complexity of the composite behaviour consists of the differences between the rigidity of the components that lead to the development of shear stress at the interface between the matrix and the fibres [ 38 , 39 , 40 ]. The determination of the mechanical and dynamic properties of composites reinforced with natural fibres plays a key role in the different structures and applications for both the proper design of the structures and the prediction of their lifetime cycle.…”