Synergistic effect of melamine polyphosphate and aluminum hypophosphite on mechanical properties and flame retardancy of HDPE/wood flour composites

In this paper, the influence of melamine polyphosphate (MPP) and aluminum hypophosphite (AHP) on mechanical properties, flame retardancy and thermal degradation of high-density polyethylene/wood flour composites (HDPE/WF) was investigated. The synergistic effect of MPP and AHP was investigated. Polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PE-g-MAH) was used as coupling agent. The experimental data demonstrated that the HDPE/WF composites with 35 wt% MPP/AHP (3:2) could achieve a LOI value of 29.6 % and UL-94 V-0 rating. In addition, the cone value also revealed that the heat release rate and the smoke production rate were clearly reduced. SEM results showed that the synergistic system (MPP/AHP = 3:2) could form a dense and thick char layer and good adhesion between wood flour and HDPE matrix, which prevented the transfer of heat flux and fuel gases. Incorporation of MPP and AHP improved the thermal stability of HDPE/wood flour as observed from the thermogravimetric analysis results and also enhanced the thermal resistance of char layer at high temperature based on scanning electron microscopy observation.     

Effect of chemical modification on the properties of wood/polypropylene composites

对以铝酸酯为偶联剂对木粉进行表面改性处理后制备的木粉/聚丙烯复合材料的力学性能和形态学特征进行了研究。结果表明:铝酸酯偶联剂可以增加木塑复合材料的抗冲击强度,但会对复合材料的抗拉强度和抗弯强度造成负面的影响。对木塑复合材料的动态力学性能和微分扫描热量分析研究表明,以铝酸酯作为偶联剂,对木塑复合材料的储存模量和损失模量有少许增加,同时可降低材料的熔点和熔解热。利用扫描电镜观察木塑复合材料的木材与塑料界面发现,经铝酸酯处理过的木材与聚丙烯复合界面之间具有更好的相容性。这些研究结果表明,在木塑复合材料制造过程中利用廉价的铝酸酯作为木材化学改性剂,对改善复合材料的性质同样起作良好的作用。图6 表2 参16。     

木纤维PP/PE共混物复合材料的流变和力学性能(英文)

For evaluation of the rheological and mechanical properties of highly filled wood plastic composites （WPCs）, polypropylene/polyethylene （PP/PE） blends were grafted with maleic anhydride （MAH） to enhance the interfacial adhesion between wood fiber and matrix. WPCs were prepared from wood fiber up to 60 wt.% and modified PP/PE was blended by extrusion. The rheological properties were studied by using dynamic measurement. According to the strain sweep test, the linear viscoelastic region of composites in the melt was determined. The result showed that the storage modulus was independent of the strain at low strain region （〈0.1%）. The frequency sweep resuits indicated that all composites exhibited shear thinning behavior, and both the storage modulus and complex viscosity of MAH modified composites were decreased comparing to those unmodified. Flexural properties and impact strength of the prepared WPCs were measured according to the relevant standard specifications. The flexural and impact strength of the manufactured composites significantly increased and reached a maximum when MAH dosage was 1.0 wt%, whereas the flexural modulus after an initial decreased, also increased with MAH dosage. The increase in mechanical properties indicated that the presence of anhydride groups enhanced the interracial adhesion between wood fiber and PP/PE blends.     

Development of wood and wood ash-based hydroxyapatite composites and their fire-retarding properties

For making efficient use of waste wood ash emitted from wood biomass plant, the wood and wood ash-based hydroxyapatite (HAp) composite was produced and their flammability characterization was studied by thermogravimetric (DTA-TG) analysis, oxygen index (OI) measurement and cone calorimeter test. The results show that the exothermic and weight loss peaks in DTA-TG combustion profiles due to their significant thermal decomposition were weakened by the HAp agent impregnation. In addition, the OI value of HAp composites was increased by the HAp combining and the OI showed a correlation with the HAp contents. Also, the cone calorimeter study revealed that the heat release rates were decreased with increasing amount of HAp injection and accordingly their total heat release has an inverse relationship to the HAp contents. These results indicate that the treatment with wood ash-based HAp agents can enhance the flame retardancy of the treated woods.     

Preservative properties of vapor-boron-treated wood and wood-based composites

The treatability of wood (sapwood ofCryptomeria japonica D. Don) and wood-based composites (particleboard, waferboard, medium-density fiberboard, plywood) with vapor-boron was good, and the treated materials proved to be resistant to decay fungi and subterranean termites in laboratory bioassays. No difference in effectiveness was noted between vapor-boron and liquid-boron treatment of wood. Toxic threshold values determined for solid wood were 0%–0.24%, 0.26%–0.51%, and 0.26%–0.51% BAE (boric acid equivalent), respectively, against the white-rot fungusTrametes versicolor (L.: Fr.) Pilat, the brown-rot fungusFomitopsis palustris (Berk. et Curt.), and the subterranean termiteCoptotermes formosanus Shiraki. A concentration of less than 1% BAE seemed sufficient to control biological attacks on composites, although the toxic limits could not be determined more accurately because of the tested range of boron retention. High boron retention was needed to meet the performance requirements for slow-burning materials when a fire-retardant agent was not incorporated into the glue line.     

Effect of hydro-thermal treatment of green beech wood on its chemical and physco-mechanical properties

Summary Preliminary investigations were carried out aiming at the establishment of relationships between chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of beech wood under the influence of heating in water at 50°C and 100°C at pH values from 2.8 to 8.5 and with heating times up to 25 hours. It was found that heating of beech wood in water at 50°C does not produce remarkable changes in its properties. When green wood was heated at 100°C, insignificant changes in its density, shrinking, and -cellulose content were observed, whereas a considerable decrease in strength was found when tested in a wet state. It was further observed that on prolonged heating, the reactions of the wood and the solutions used as a heating medium under-went distinct changes, attaining an equivalent value approximating the final pH of the wood.     

Improvement in compatibility and mechanical properties of modified wood fiber/polypropylene composites

To improve the interfacial compatibility between wood fibers and polypropylene and the toughness of wood-fiber/polypropylene composites, maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MAH) and maleic anhydride grafted styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene copolymers (SEBS-g-MAH) were used as modifiers. Mechanical properties of wood-fiber/polypropylene (WF/PP) composites were improved when PP-g-MAH or SEBS-g-MAH was added. When either of these copolymers was added, the composites had better interfacial compatibility than the unmodified composite. This was verified by scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The mechanical properties of the composites were significantly improved because of the good interfacial bonding between wood fibers and polypropylene when PP-g-MAH and SEBS-g-MAH were added. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2007, 29(2): 133–137 [译自: 北京林业大学学报]     

Preliminary study of viscoelastic properties of MAPP-modified wood flour/polypropylene composites

Viscoelastic properties of maleated polypropylene (MAPP)-modified wood flour/polypropylene composites (WPC) were investigated by both a compression stress relaxation method and dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA). Three wood to polymer ratios (40:60, 60:40, and 80:20) and five MAPP loading levels (0, 1, 2, 4 and 8%) were used to study their effects on the viscoelastic properties of MAPP-WPC. The results show that: 1) higher wood to polymer ratio corresponds to higher stress relaxation levels for unmodified WPC. The modification with MAPP has an obvious effect on the stress relaxation of MAPP-WPC at higher wood to polymer ratios (60:40 and 80:20), but almost no effect at the 40:60 wood to polymer ratio. The optimal MAPP loading level for the wood to polymer ratio of 60:40 appears at 1%; 2) the storage modulus reaches its maximum at a MAPP loading level of 1% for wood to polymer ratios of 40:60 and 60:40, while for the 80:20 wood to polymer ratio, a higher storage modulus is observed at higher MAPP loading levels, which is quite consistent with the stress relaxation results. The results suggested that a suitable loading level of MAPP has a positive effect on the viscoelastic properties of WPC at higher wood to polymer ratios. Excessive MAPP loading would have resulted in adverse effects.     

褐腐对木材电阻的影响

为探究褐腐对木材电阻的影响,以落叶松为研究对象,用褐腐菌对木材试件进行了接种感染,然后测试了腐朽试件的电阻,观察了腐朽样品的微观结构和金属离子浓度,并分析了试件样品的主要化学成分。结果表明:1)褐腐后,木材电阻变化显著,特别是腐朽的初期;2)腐朽程度Es与电阻变化率Ed呈对数曲线关系,曲线回归模型中电阻变化率Ed和质量损失率Es高度相关(R=0.81,P <0.01);3)微观结构中,褐腐后菌丝渐渐生长至密集,木材试件的金属元素含量和各种金属元素浓度总体上都是呈现上升的趋势;4)相关分析表明,腐朽后木材电阻和离子浓度呈显著正相关关系,而与相对结晶度之间不存在显著的相关关系,说明褐腐后电阻变化的主要原因是由于金属元素的含量变化引起的。     

异元素掺杂碳量子点制备及对木材阻燃性能的影响

以防火板砂光粉废料为原料,经水热预抽提处理并掺杂三羟甲基氧化磷(THPO),合成了具有高效阻燃性能的磷氮异元素掺杂碳量子点(N,P@CDs)新型阻燃剂,并采用真空浸渍法对杉木进行阻燃处理,结合红外光谱、X射线光电子能谱、扫描电镜和锥形量热等进行测试分析。结果表明：不同阻燃处理的木材氧指数均有所提高,其中N,P@CDs阻燃处理木材效果最显著,氧指数高达40.8%,较未阻燃处理的木材氧指数提高79.7%。锥形量热实验表明：第1个热释放速率峰值降低30.4%,且第2个热释放速率峰值出现时间延后25 s, 6和10 min的总热释放量显著降低31.7%和30.3%,N,P@CDs受热能催化木材表面脱水成炭,同时分解释放含氮小分子等不燃气体,使热解反应在较低温度发生,促使木材产生较多残炭。扫描电镜及能谱表明：N,P@CDs含有丰富的氮和磷元素,能够在木材中相对均匀分布且阻燃处理并不会改变木材天然的多孔结构。与其他常见阻燃处理会降低木材强度相比,N,P@CDs处理木材的力学强度提高12.8%,且阻燃剂具有一定的抗流失性。具有阻燃、力学增强及抗流失等优良性能的N,P@CDs成功制备,对于开发新型阻燃...     

Effect of nano-SiO2 on properties of wood/polymer/clay nanocomposites

Wood polymer nanocomposites (WPNC) based on nano-SiO₂ were prepared by impregnation of styrene acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN), SiO₂ nanoparticles modified with γ-trimethoxy silyl propyl methacrylate (MSMA), and nanoclay into wood. The structure of modified SiO₂ nanoparticles and WPNC was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). XRD analysis showed the delaminated structure of SAN/SiO₂/clay-treated wood composites. The synergistic effect of nano-SiO₂ and nanoclay was investigated. Thermal stability of SiO₂ nanoparticles decreased after modification, while that of wood treated with SAN, SiO₂, and nanoclay improved. Morphological characteristics were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mechanical properties, water uptake (%), dimensional stability, hardness, and flammability were found to improve due to incorporation of SiO₂ and nanoclay into wood polymer composites. Maximum improvement in properties was observed in the wood polymer composites containing SiO₂ and nanoclay at the ratio of 1:1.     

The properties of flax fiber reinforced wood flour/high density polyethylene composites

Flax fiber(FF) was used to reinforce wood flour/high density polyethylene composites(WF/PE).WF/PE particles were uniformly mixed with FF via high-speed mixing and then extruded with a single screw extruder to prepare FF reinforced WF/PE composites(FF/WF/PE).Mechanical testing,dynamic mechanical analysis,scanning electron microscopy(SEM),creep measurement and Torque rheology were used to characterize the resulting composites.The results indicate that the mechanical performance of the composites could be remarkably improved by adding a limited amount of FF.The flexural strength and modulus increased by 14.6 and 51.4%,respectively(FF content of 9 wt%),while the unnotched impact strength could be increased by 26.5%(FF content of12 wt%).The creep resistance and toughness of thecomposite was markedly improved without changing the plastic content of the composite material.     

Fundamental studies on wood/cellulose-plastic composites: effects of composition and cellulose dimension on the properties of cellulose/PP composite

Although wood/cellulose-plastic composites (WPC) of low wood/cellulose content have been more accepted worldwide and are promoted as low-maintenance, high-durability building products, composites containing high wood/cellulose content are not yet developed on an industrial scale. In this study, flow properties, mechanical properties, and water absorption properties of the compounds of cellulose microfiber/polypropylene (PP) and maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP) were investigated to understand effects of the high cellulose content and the dimensions of the cellulose microfiber. The molding processes studied included compression, injection, and extrusion. It was found that fluidity is not only dependent on resin content but also on the dimension of the filler; fluidity of the compound declined with increased fiber length with the same resin content. Dispersion of the composite was monitored by charge-coupled device (CCD) microscope. Increasing the plastic content in the cellulose-plastic formulation improved the strength of mold in addition to the bond development between resin and filler, and the tangle of fibers. The processing mode affected the physicomechanical properties of the cellulosic plastic. Compression-molded samples exhibited the lowest modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) and the highest water absorption, while samples that were injection-molded exhibited the highest MOR (70 MPa) and MOE (7 GPa) and low water absorption (2%).     

Preparation,physical properties and ultraviolet resistance of wood nanocomposites based on modified soybean oil and bentonite

ABSTRACT

Safer environmental requirements have resulted in significant interest in natural polymer-based materials to increase sustainability. In this perspective, wood polymer nanocomposites are of particular interest. Wood polymer nanocomposites were prepared from modified soybean oil, wood flour and cetyl trimethylammonium bromide modified bentonite using the compression-molding technique. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometric studies were used to confirm the successful modification of bentonite. Incorporation of 3?wt% of bentonite in the composites produced significant improvement in properties compared to those of 1 and 5?wt%. Furthermore, in comparison to the unfilled nanocomposites, nanoclay-filled ones showed an enhanced UV resistance property as judged by lower weight loss and carbonyl index. The decrease in mechanical properties of UV-exposed unfilled composites was more significant compared to those of nanoclay-filled composites. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope were used to study the surface morphology and distribution of the bentonite into the composites. In addition, with the incorporation of bentonite, significant increase in thermal, mechanical and flame-retarding properties was observed.     

Effect of three tree species on UV weathering of wood flour-HDPE composites

Eucalyptus urophylla, Acacia mangium, and Pinus caribaea are the primary species for the wood industry in Vietnam. Wood residues of these species were used to reinforce high-density polyethylene(HDPE) composites. The flexural or bending property, impact strength and surface color were evaluated after exposure to accelerated ultraviolet weathering up to 2000 h. The weathered surface was characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy. The results indicate that A. mangium/HDPE composites had the lowest color change and least fading,and remained stable after 1500 h exposure. FTIR spectroscopy showed that the oxidation of the composites increased in parallel with duration of exposure by assessing the concentration of carbonyl groups on the surfaces. SEM showed that all three species reinforced composites exhibited similar severe cracks after 1000 h;however, at the end of the weathering test, E. urophylla and P. caribaea composites were more severely cracked than A. mangium composites. A. mangium also had the highest flexural strength, impact strength and crystallinity duringweathering. A. mangium is the most preferable among the three species to reinforce HDPE.     

Preparation of acetylated wood meal and polypropylene composites II: mechanical properties and dimensional stability of the composites

Acetylated wood meals of Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D.Don) wood were prepared by mechanochemical processing using a high-speed vibration rod mill. Weight percent gain (WPG) of the acetylated wood meals ranged from 7.0 to 35.5 %. Wood–plastic composites (WPCs) containing 50 % acetylated woods were produced by an injection molding technique. The polymer matrix used was polypropylene homopolymer. Maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP) was also used as a compatibilizing agent. The mechanical properties of WPCs in bending and tensile tests were independent of WPG of acetylated wood meals, and the test values for WPCs containing acetylated wood meals were lower than that of unmodified wood meal. The use of MAPP increased bending and tensile strength, but no effect on bending modulus was found. An increase in WPG significantly decreased water absorbability and thickness swelling of WPCs as measured by dimensional stability tests. These results demonstrated that mechanochemical processing is a promising technique for preparing WPC material with improved dimensional stability. The future challenge is to inhibit the decreases in mechanical properties of WPCs containing acetylated wood meals.     

Dynamic-mechanical analysis and SEM morphology of wood flour/polypropylene composites

Introduction It is well known that over the past few decades, polymers have replaced many conventional materials, such as metal and wood in many applications. This is due to the advantages of polymers over conventional materials (Maurizio et al. 1998; Adr…     

Effect of wood ash fertilization on soil chemical properties and stand nutrient status and growth of some coniferous stands in Finland

The effects of wood ash or wood ash plus nitrogen (N) fertilization on soil chemical properties, needle nutrient concentrations and tree growth were studied in five coniferous stands, aged 31–75 yrs, after 5 and 10 yrs. In each experiment 3 t ha^?1 of loose wood ash was applied to three replicated plots (30×30 m). In three of the experiments 120–150 kg N ha^?1 was applied together with the same wood ash (WAN). These three experiments also included a stand-specific fertilization (SSF) treatment, which consisted of 120, 150 or 180 kg N ha^?1. Five years after wood ash or WAN application the pH increase in the humus layer was 1–1.7 pH-units and in the 0–5 cm mineral soil layer 0.3–0.4 pH-units. The increase was approximately the same 10 yrs after application, and was also associated with an increase in pH in the 5–10 cm mineral soil layer. Wood ash or WAN significantly increased both the total and extractable calcium and magnesium concentrations in the humus layer on all the sites. Wood ash or WAN had an increasing effect on the boron concentrations, but a decreasing effect on the manganese concentrations in the needles. Wood ash had no significant effect on the volume growth. The trees on the WAN plots grew as well as or slightly better than those on the SSF plots.