Effects of nanoclay on physical and mechanical properties of wood-plastic composites

Effects of nanoclay (NC) on physical and mechanical properties of wood-plastic composite (WPC) were studied here. Virgin, recycled, and mixed (50/50% of virgin/recycled) polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were used as the matrix in the WPC. Specimens with three NC contents of 1.5%, 3%, and 5% were manufactured; they were then compared with control specimens. Totally, 12 treatments were manufactured. The physical and mechanical properties were measured in accordance with the ASTM standards. The highest properties were found in specimens made from virgin PVC. Addition of recycled PVC resulted in significant decrease in all properties. NC improved all physical and mechanical properties studied in the present research project; the highest properties were observed in specimens with 5% of NC content. The improvement in properties was as a result of formation of bonds between the hydroxyl groups of NC with the wood flour components. It was concluded that NC would significantly improve the properties in all the three PVC types of virgin, recycled, and mixed. From an industrial point of view, it was concluded that mixing virgin and recycled PVC can be recommended not only to decrease production costs, but also to partially solve the problem of PVC residue which are not bio-degradable.