Wood-polymer composites - general characteristics and their preparation from waste materials

Abstract

Kompozyty polimerowo-drzewne-charakterystyka ogólna oraz ich otrzymywanie z materia³ów odpadowych Streszczenie-Przedstawiono dane dotycz¹ce cen, wielkooeci produkcji i struktury rynku wyrobów z kompozytów polimerowo-drzewnych (WPC) w ró¿nych regionach oewiata oraz perspektywy zastosowañ tych wyrobów. Scharakteryzowano typowe rodzaje osnowy [polietylen, polipropylen, poli(chlorek winylu)], nape³niaczy drzewnych (przede wszystkim m¹czki drzewnej) a tak¿e oerodków pomocniczych. Omówiono proekologiczne uwarunkowania stosowania WPC i metody ich przetwórstwa (g³ównie wyt³aczanie). Celem badañ w³asnych by³o opracowanie WPC z surowców odpadowych-zarówno polimerowych (osnowa poliolefinowa: PE-HD, PE-LD, mieszanina PE + PP), jak i drzewnych (m¹czka, wióry, pelety) o mo¿liwie najni¿szej za³o¿onej cenie. Okreoelono wytrzyma³ooeae na rozci¹ganie, zachowawczy modu³ sprê¿ystooeci, udarnooeae oraz gêstooeae wytwarzanych WPC w za-le¿nooeci od rodzaju osnowy i nape³niacza a tak¿e udzia³u tego ostatniego. Stwierdzono, ¿e WPC z zawartooeci¹ do 40 % mas. nape³niacza odznaczaj¹ siê korzystnymi cechami u¿ytkowymi. S³owa kluczowe: kompozyty polimerowo-drzewne, surowce odpadowe, poliolefiny, m¹czka drzewna, w³aoeciwooeci. WOOD-POLYMER COMPOSITES-GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS AND THEIR PREPARATION FROM WASTE MATERIALS Summary-The data concerning the prices, productions and structure of the market of the products made of wood-polymer composites (WPC) in various regions of the world (Fig. 1) as well as the prospects of such products applications were presented. Typical types of matrices [polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(vinyl chloride), Table 1], wood fillers (mainly wood flour, Table 2) and processing aids (Table 4) were characterized. Ecological conditioning of WPC applications and methods of their processing (mainly extrusion) were discussed. The aim of our work was to develop WPC from waste materials, both polymeric (polyolefin matrix: PE-HD, PE-LD, PE/PP blend) and wood ones (flour, chips, pellets) as cheap as possible. The following properties of WPC composites were determined, dependently on the matrix and filler types and a filler content: tensile strength (Fig. 4), storage modulus (Fig. 5), impact strength (Fig. 6) and density (Fig. 7 and 8). It was found that WPC containing 40 wt. % of a filler showed good functional features.

Relationships between Thermoplastic Type and Properties of Polymer-Triticale Boards

“…Of the polymers used, only PS had the modulus of elasticity comparable to the boards composed of wood chips or annual plant particles. In this case, the MOE reached 3100–3300 N/mm 2 [48,49,50]. The modulus of elasticity was also clearly higher in those boards vs. the boards made from the remaining polymers, but it was still lower than the MOE of the boards made from pine chips.…”

Water Footprint Assessment of Selected Polymers, Polymer Blends, Composites, and Biocomposites for Industrial Application

“…PP is the most commonly used thermoplastic polymer in Europe as a matrix for composites. Moreover, due to its hydrophobic character, it is a very good barrier for humidity, which can affect the structure and performance of composites containing natural fibers or blends with biodegradable plastics [31,32]. Therefore, PP was chosen as the main polymer matrix in presented research.…”

Comparative Analysis of Carbon, Ecological, and Water Footprints of Polypropylene-Based Composites Filled with Cotton, Jute and Kenaf Fibers

“…However, researchers are looking for natural and renewable substitutes over the last years, considering pro-ecological trends in the plastics industry [37]. An essential feature of PP is its hydrophobic character, so the incorporation of natural fillers, which are prone to biodegradation, does not result in biodegradable character of PP-based composite [38]. Therefore, it is possible to introduce natural-based, primary, or even waste materials as potential fillers for composites based on the PP matrix.…”