Reinforcing effects of modified Kevlar® fiber on the mechanical properties of wood-flour/polypropylene composites

Kevlar fiber (KF) is a synthesized product with strong mechanical properties. We used KF as a reinforcement to improve the mechanical properties of wood-flour/polypropylene (WF/PP) composites. KF was pretreated with NaOH to improve its compatibility with the thermoplastic matrix. Maleated polypropylene (MAPP) was used as a coupling agent to improve the interfacial adhesion between KF, WF, and PP. Incorporation of KF improved the mechanical properties of WF/PP composites. Treatment of KF with NaOH resulted in further improvement in mechanical strength. Addition of 3% MAPP and 2% hydrolyzed KF (HKF) led to an increment of 93.8% in unnotched impact strength, 17.7% in notched impact strength, 86.8% in flexure strength, 50.8% in flexure modulus, and 94.1% in tensile strength compared to traditional WF/PP composites. Scanning electron microscopy of the cryoractured section of WF/PP showed that the HKF surface was rougher than the virgin KF, and the KF was randomly distributed in the composites, which might cause a mechanical interlocking between KF and polypropylene molecules in the composites.     

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.     

Properties of paper mill sludge-wood fiber-HDPE composites after exposure to xenon-arc weathering

We used paper mill sludge(PMS) to substitute for part of the wood fibers(WF) used to reinforce high density polyethylene(HDPE).The resulting composites were subjected to xenon-arc weathering.The composite filled with limited PMS(under 10 %) had mechanical properties and aging resistance similar to those without PMS.The composites containing more PMS faded and cracked more readily than those without PMS.Based on the carbonyl index,crystallinity,and wood index,PMS appeared to accelerate the degradation of composites during weathering.Adding PMS to WF–HDPE composites reduced the weathering resistance,and this reduction was not significant if the PMS content did not exceed 20 % of the wood fibers.Therefore,PMS could be used as a reinforcement in wood-plastic composites at levels less than20 % of the wood fiber content.     

Effect of Wood Variables on the Properties of Wood Fiber-Polypropylene Composites

The effect of wood species (Chinese fir and Poplar), wood fiber content (10%, 25%, 40%) and wood fiber sizes (16 to 32 mesh, 32-65 mesh, above 65 mesh) on the properties of the wood fiber-Polypropylene composites were studied in this paper. The results indicate that the effect of wood fiber content and size in composite were more important than that of chosen wood species. Compared with polypropylene without wood fiber, the flexural strength of the composites increased when adding wood fiber into polypropylene, but the tensile and unnotched charpy impact strength decreased. And the above strength decreased with the wood fiber content increasing. When the wood fiber size becoming smaller (in higher mesh), the strength increased. In the comparison of wood species, the properties of composite using Chinese fir wood were better than that of Poplar, but not significant. The dynamic mechanical properties of the composites and PP were also tested and analyzed in this paper.     

Properties of PEG/thermally modified wood flour/polypropylene (PP) composites

In order to improve the dimensional stability of wood-polymer composites, wood flour pre-treated by polyethylene glyco1 (PEG) at two different concentrations and then thermally treated at 140°C, was used as raw material to produce wood flour/polypropylene (PP) composites at a wood content of 40%. The structure of modified wood flour was analyzed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and its effect on the physical and mechanical properties of wood flour/PP composites was evaluated. The SEM results indicated the "bulking" effect of PEG on wood flour, which resulted in reduced water uptake. The combination of PEG and heat treatment further improved the moisture resistance of the composites. However, PEG modification had a negative effect on the flexural modulus of rupture (MOR) and the modulus of elasticity (MOE); whereas heat treatment partly compensated for this reduction. For dynamic mechanical properties, PEG treatment decreased the storage modulus (E′). However, the heat treatment resulted in an increase of E′ of the wood flour/PP composites, with the temperature of loss factor peaks shifting to a higher temperature.     

Ignition Models of Thermal Thin Material in Constant Heat Flux

The influence law of ammonium polyphosphate(APP) and coupling agents on the mechanical properties and flame retardant properties of wood powder/PE composites were studied by mechanical test and limited oxygen index(LOI) test. The experimental results show that the LOI of composites increased from 18.7%to 26.5%when the content of APP flame retardant was 30%,however the mechanical properties decreased.The maleic anhydride graft PP,titanate and silane coupling agent were used to improve mechanical properties of composites and it was implied that titanate and silane coupling agent can improve the mechanical properties of composites obviously.The limited oxygen index of wood powder/PE composites reached 27.5% when the content of titanate was 2%. Thermogravimetric analysis(TGA) shows that APP promoted charring and increased the amounts of char,thus protecting the inner matrix and increased the amount of residual char at higher temperature. The titanate coupling agent further increased the charring formed and strengthened the thermal stability,so obviously increased the flame retardant of composites.     

Non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of wood-flour/polypropylene composites in the presence of b-nucleating agent

The influence of aryl amide compounds(TMB)as b-nucleating agents, on the non-isothermal crystallization of a wood-flour/polypropylene composite(WF/PP)prepared by compression molding was investigated by wide-angle X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. TMB was proved to be an effective b-crystalline nucleating agent for WF/PP. The DSC data showed that the crystallization peak temperature(Tp) increased and the half-time(t1/2) decreased with the addition of TMB.Three theoretical models were used to analyze the nonisothermal crystallization process. The modified Avrami method and Mo method successfully explained the nonisothermal crystallization behavior of PP and its composites. Their activation energies for non-isothermal crystallization were determined basing on the Kissinger method.     

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.     

Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Wood Powder /Polypropylene Composites

The dynamic mechanical properties of wood powder/polypropylene composites with different wood content treated and untreated with the compatibilizer have been studied. It has been found that addition of wood powders and the compatibilizer can both improve the viscoelasticity of composites. Glass transition temperature (Tg) of appropriate wood powder-filled composites decreased. The value for the storage modulus (G') increased gradually with increasing wood powder content. The addition of the compatibilizer made glass transition temperature shift to a higher temperature. DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) results showed that, for pure PP, the addition of the compatibilizer decreased its melting point, and increased its Calorie of Melt at the same time. For the composite with 50 % wood powder treated with the compatibilizer, the melting point was almost unchanged, but its Calorie of Melt decreased.     

Analysis on Chemical Composition of Guadua amplexifolia Planted in China

The objective of this study is to determine the properties of G. amplexifolia. In this paper; the chemical composition, including holocellulose, acid-insoluble lignin, 1% NaOH solubility, benzene-ethanol extractives and ash content, was considered for the variability with respect to positions along bamboo culm height （bottom, middle and top）, parts along radial direction （inner part and outer part）and ages （1-year and 2- year）. The test results were also compared to those of moso that is commonly planted and used in China. This study indicated that both the holocellulosecontent and the lignin content in inner part were lower than ; in outer part, but for extractives and ash content, the reverse was true. Bamboo age also had effect on chemical composition; both the holocellulose content and the ash content in the culm of 1- year were higher than those of 2-year; while the lignin content and the extractive content m the culm of 1- year were higher than those of 2-year. High holocellulose content, low lignin contentand extractive content were advantages of G. amplexifolia.     

MA-SEBS对木纤维/聚丙烯复合材料冲击断裂行为的影响(英文)

马来酸酐接枝苯乙烯-乙烯-丁烯-苯乙烯(MA-SEBS)用作聚丙烯/木纤维复合体系的界面相容剂及冲击改性剂,来提高其界面粘接及冲击强度。研究了MA-SEBS含量对PP/WF复合材料冲击断裂行为的影响,当MA-SEBS含量达到8%时,冲击性能达到了最大值,进一步增加到10%并未提高其断裂韧性,但动态热机械分析(DMA)表明复合材料刚性的提高,这归因于PP/WF界面的改善,当MA-SEBS超过8%,聚丙烯与木纤维分子间的相互作用增强。扫描电子显微镜(SEM)分析了样品的断裂表面,表明木纤维与聚丙烯表面强烈的界面粘结。图5表1参11。     

Investigation on the compatibilizing effect of m-isopropenyl-α,α-dimethylbenzyl isocyanate grafted polypropylene on polypropylene and wood flour composites

Wood flour (WF) and polypropylene (PP) composites (WF/PP) were compatibilized by m-isopropenyl-α,α-dimethylbenzyl isocyanate grafted polypropylene (m-TMI-g-PP). The effect of wood flour, m-TMI-g-PP contents on the rheology, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), mechanical properties, as well as the morphology of the composites were investigated and discussed. Rheology, DMA results showed that m-TMI-g-PP was an effective compatibilizer for WF/PP composites. The shear modulus (G′) and complex viscosity (η*) of the composites were increased, which implied that the composites probably withstood pronounced shear forces, resulting from strong adhesion at the interface between the matrix PP and WF. The mechanical test indicated that the tensile strength and the flexural strength of the composites were improved with increasing content of m-TMI-g-PP. From the properties tests, the optimum loading of WF in WF/m-TMI-g-PP/PP was found to be 40%, and the optimum loading of m-TMI-g-PP was 6%. Property enhancement is attributed to improved wetting and interactions between the PP matrix and WF, which is supported by scanning electron microscopy analysis.     

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…     

Photodegradation of wood flour/polypropylene composites incorporated with carbon materials with different morphologies

ABSTRACT

In this study, wood flour/polypropylene (WF/PP) composites were prepared by incorporating 2?wt% carbon materials with different morphologies, including carbon black (CB), graphite (G), and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). WF/PP composite without any additives was included as a reference. All composites were placed in the accelerated UV weathering tester for a total of 960 h. The physical and mechanical properties of composites were compared. The changes in surface morphology and surface chemistry were characterized by SEM AFM, and ATR-FTIR. The results showed that: (1) the addition of CNTs improved both flexural and impact properties of composites; (2) composites containing CNTs exhibited better color stability and less severe surface cracking during weathering; and (3) ATR-FTIR results revealed that all the additives alleviated surface photo-oxidation of composites due to their UV-screening effect. Overall, due to the improved interfacial bonding between WF and PP, CNTs were more effective in protecting wood–plastic composites from photodegradation.     

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.     

聚氨酯预聚体改性聚乳酸/木粉复合材料的制备及表征

通过共混挤出法制备聚氨酯预聚体(PUP)改性的聚乳酸/木粉(PLA/WF)复合材料,并对复合材料进行力学性能测试、动态热机械分析、接触角测量以及断面扫描电镜分析。力学性能分析表明:当PUP用量(以PLA和WF的质量计)为20%时,复合材料断裂弯曲应变和冲击强度分别为5.78%和18.3 k J/m2,较未改性的复合材料分别提高了209%和123%,PUP显示出较好的增韧效果。动态热机械分析表明:随着PUP用量的增加,复合材料中PUP相和PLA相的玻璃化转变温度均有所下降,并且储能模量显著降低,材料韧性得到改善。PUP的加入可显著提高复合材料对水的接触角,材料疏水性能得到改善。当PUP用量为25%时,接触角达83.7°,较未增韧复合材料接触角(66.6°)提高25.7%。拉伸断面的扫描电镜分析表明:添加PUP的复合材料断面有更多的木粉被拉出且空穴变多,断面更为不平整,呈现韧性断裂的特征。     

Improved interaction between wood and synthetic polymers in wood/polymer composites

Summary This article describes the properties of wood polymer composites consisting of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and wood flour (WF). In an attempt to improve the interfacial adhesion between the matrix and the filler, different compatibilizers were used. The interaction between polymer and wood were studied by comparing LLDPE/WF composites with composites when compatibilizer was added. The experimental measurements were conducted by impact and tensile strength testing and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties of the composites were improved with SEBS triblock copolymer modified with maleic anhydride and with the ionomer polymer, Surlyn, as compatibilizers. SEM fractography confirmed better adhesion between wood particles and LLDPE matrix when SEBS was present.This study was financed by the Swedish National Board for Industrial and Technical Development (NUTEK) which is gratefully acknowledged     

Composites of wood andtrans-1,4-isoprene rubber 1: Mechanical, physical, and flow behavior

The modification oftrans-1,4-isoprene rubber (TIR) with maleic anhydride (MAH) was conducted in a kneader at 150°C, 30–70 rpm, for 10 min without using peroxide. The resultant MAH-modified TIR (MTIR) was then evaluated as a compatibilizer for TIR-wood flour (WF) composites. A control composite composed of TIR and WF only was also prepared. The presence of WF in the TIR-WF composite worsened the tensile and some physical properties. The addition of 5% MTIR as a compatibilizer to the whole composite improved the mechanical and the physical properties and increased the flow temperature and the melt viscosity. The improved composite had a 2.5 times increase in tensile strength and absorbed considerably less water than did the control composite. The SEM micrograph proved that interaction and adhesion between TIR and WF could be improved by the MTIR compatibilizer. The composites of TIR-MTIR-WF melts were of pseudoplastic nature, and their flows obeyed the Ostwald de Waele power law equation.     

The effect of hyperbranched polymer lubricant as a compatibilizer on the structure and properties of lignin/polypropylene composites

Abstract

In this work, the lignin/polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared by lignin and PP using hyperbranched polymer lubricant (HBPL) as a compatibilizer, which was synthesized by oleic acid and amino-terminated hyperbranch (HBP-NH₂) polymer in toluene solvent. The impact and flexural strength of the resulting composites were investigated. Experimental results indicated that the impact strength and flexural strength of lignin/PP composites modified with HBPL are 52.3% and 63.6% higher than that of untreated systems, respectively. HBPL treatment could also significantly improve the melt flow rate (MFR) of the lignin/PP composites. Meanwhile, the storage modulus (E′) of adding the HBPL was slightly higher than that of the uncompatibilized system. In addition, scanning electron microscope images showed that the dispersion of the lignin added with HBPL in the polymer matrix was improved. It can be inferred that the lignin and PP matrix interfacial bonding was strengthened.