scholarly journals Insight into the Surface Properties of Wood Fiber-Polymer Composites

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1535
Author(s):  
Klementina Pušnik Črešnar ◽  
Marko Bek ◽  
Thomas Luxbacher ◽  
Mihael Brunčko ◽  
Lidija Fras Zemljič

The surface properties of wood fiber (WF) filled polymer composites depend on the filler loading and are closely related to the distribution and orientation in the polymer matrix. In this study, wood fibers (WF) were incorporated into thermoplastic composites based on non-recycled polypropylene (PP) and recycled (R-PP) composites by melt compounding and injection moulding. ATR-FTIR (attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) measurements clearly showed the propagation of WF functional groups at the surface layer of WF-PP/WF-R-PP composites preferentially with WF loading up to 30%. Optical microscopy and nanoindentation method confirmed the alignment of thinner skin layer of WF-PP/WF-R-PP composites with increasing WF addition. The thickness of the skin layer was mainly influenced by the WF loading. The effect of the addition of WF on modulus and hardness, at least at 30 and 40 wt.%, varies for PP and R-PP matrix. On the other hand, surface zeta potential measurements show increased hydrophilicity with increasing amounts of WF. Moreover, WF in PP/R-PP matrix is also responsible for the antioxidant properties of these composites as measured by DPPH (2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay.

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (24) ◽  
pp. 8863
Author(s):  
Klementina Pušnik Črešnar ◽  
Lidija Fras Zemljič ◽  
Lidija Slemenik Perše ◽  
Marko Bek

Novel wood fiber (WF)-polypropylene composites were developed using the extrusion process with a twin-screw extruder. The influence of different mass addition of WF to unrecycled polypropylene (PP) and recycled PP (R-PP) on the chemical, thermal and rheological properties of the processed WF-PP and WF-R-PP composites was investigated. For this purpose, the chemical surface structure of the composites was followed with ATR-FTIR (attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy), while the thermal properties of the WF-PP composites were investigated with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Furthermore, the crystalline structure of the composites was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Finally, the rheology of the materials was also studied. It was observed that a stronger particle formation at high additional concentrations was observed in the case of recycled PP material. The addition of WF over 20% by weight increased the crystallinity as a result of the incorporation and reorganization of the WF and also their reinforcing effect. The addition of WF to pure PP had an influence on the crystallization process, which due to the new β phase and γ phase PP formation showed an increased degree of crystallinity of the composites and led to a polymorphic structure of the composites WF-PP. From the rheological test, we can conclude that the addition of WF changed the rheological behavior of the material, as WF hindered the movement of the polymeric material. At lower concentrations, the change was less pronounced, although we observed more drastic changes in the material behavior at concentrations high enough that WF could form a 3D network (percolation point about 20%).


Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 2438
Author(s):  
Yanping Huang ◽  
Shuai Zhang ◽  
He Chen ◽  
Chunxiang Ding ◽  
Yan Xuan ◽  
...  

Wood/thermoplastic composites (WPCs) have been restricted in some fields of building construction and electrical equipment because of their inherent high flammability and lower toughness. In this work, a branched crosslinking network polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) has been designed by incorporation of polyethyleneimine (PEI), a cation polyelectrolyte end capped amine groups, into cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) via self-assembling. The hydrogen bonding interactions, penetration, and mechanical interlock provided by PEC effectively enhance the interfacial bonding within matrix, wood fibers, and flame retardant. Interestingly, it generates abundant micropores on the inner structure of WPC. The excellent interfacial bonding performance and easy-to-move molecular chain successfully transfer the stress and induce energy dissipation, simultaneously giving rise to higher strength and toughness for WPC. As well as the PEC endows WPC with a promotion in both smoke suppression and UL-94 V-0 rate. Additionally, the peak heat release rate and total smoke release for WPC obviously reduce by 36.9% and 50.0% respectively in presence of 25% PEC. A simple, eco-friendly, and concise strategy exhibits prospects for fiber-reinforced polymer composites with effective flame retardancy and mechanical robust properties.


Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1750
Author(s):  
Luísa Rosenstock Völtz ◽  
Irangeli Di Guiseppe ◽  
Shiyu Geng ◽  
Kristiina Oksman

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of recycling on polypropylene (PP) and wood-fiber thermoplastic composites (WPCs) using a co-rotating twin-screw extruder. After nine extrusion passes microscopy studies confirmed that the fiber length decreased with the increased number of recycling passes but the increased processing time also resulted in excellent dispersion and interfacial adhesion of the wood fibers in the PP matrix. Thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties were studied. The repeated extrusion passes had minimal effect on thermal behavior and the viscosity decreased with an increased number of passes, indicating slight degradation. The recycling processes had an effect on the tensile strength of WPCs while the effect was minor on the PP. However, even after the nine recycling passes the strength of WPC was considerably better (37 MPa) compared to PP (28 MPa). The good degree of property retention after recycling makes this recycling strategy a viable alternative to discarding the materials. Thus, it has been demonstrated that, by following the most commonly used extrusion process, WPCs can be recycled several times and this methodology can be industrially adapted for the manufacturing of recycled products.


1992 ◽  
Vol 266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Don H. White ◽  
S. C. Park

AbstractThe usefulness of solubility parameters in identifying miscible polymer blends is reviewed. The use of wood fibers in mixtures of recycled thermoplastics is of current interest. These composites do not require miscible blends of polymers, but must exhibit compatibility in order to have good adhesion and physical properties. The use of solubility parameters to design improved composites is cited. This approach is then applied to wood fiber/polyolefin thermoplastic composites.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (15) ◽  
pp. 4581
Author(s):  
Baljinder K. Kandola ◽  
S. Ilker Mistik ◽  
Wiwat Pornwannachai ◽  
A. Richard Horrocks

Biocomposites comprising a combination of natural fibres and bio-based polymers are good alternatives to those produced from synthetic components in terms of sustainability and environmental issues. However, it is well known that water or aqueous chemical solutions affect natural polymers/fibres more than the respective synthetic components. In this study the effects of water, salt water, acidic and alkali solutions ageing on water uptake, mechanical properties and flammability of natural fibre-reinforced polypropylene (PP) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites were compared. Jute, sisal and wool fibre- reinforced PP and PLA composites were prepared using a novel, patented nonwoven technology followed by the hot press method. The prepared composites were aged in water and chemical solutions for up to 3 week periods. Water absorption, flexural properties and the thermal and flammability performances of the composites were investigated before and after ageing each process. The effect of post-ageing drying on the retention of mechanical and flammability properties has also been studied. A linear relationship between irreversible flexural modulus reduction and water adsorption/desorption was observed. The aqueous chemical solutions caused further but minor effects in terms of moisture sorption and flexural modulus changes. PLA composites were affected more than the respective PP composites, because of their hydrolytic sensitivity. From thermal analytical results, these changes in PP composites could be attributed to ageing effects on fibres, whereas in PLA composite changes related to both those of fibres present and of the polymer. Ageing however, had no adverse effect on the flammability of the composites.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1701
Author(s):  
R. A. Ilyas ◽  
S. M. Sapuan ◽  
M. R. M. Asyraf ◽  
D. A. Z. N. Dayana ◽  
J. J. N. Amelia ◽  
...  

Polymer composites filled with metal derivatives have been widely used in recent years, particularly as flame retardants, due to their superior characteristics, including high thermal behavior, low environmental degradation, and good fire resistance. The hybridization of metal and polymer composites produces various favorable properties, making them ideal materials for various advanced applications. The fire resistance performance of polymer composites can be enhanced by increasing the combustion capability of composite materials through the inclusion of metallic fireproof materials to protect the composites. The final properties of the metal-filled thermoplastic composites depend on several factors, including pore shape and distribution and morphology of metal particles. For example, fire safety equipment uses polyester thermoplastic and antimony sources with halogenated additives. The use of metals as additives in composites has captured the attention of researchers worldwide due to safety concern in consideration of people’s life and public properties. This review establishes the state-of-art flame resistance properties of metals/polymer composites for numerous industrial applications.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 141
Author(s):  
Imen Elloumi ◽  
Ahmed Koubaa ◽  
Wassim Kharrat ◽  
Chedly Bradai ◽  
Ahmed Elloumi

The characterization of the dielectric properties of wood–polymer composites (WPCs) is essential to understand their interaction with electromagnetic fields and evaluate their potential use for new applications. Thus, dielectric spectroscopy monitored the evolution of the dielectric properties of WPCs over a wide frequency range of 1 MHz to 1 GHz. WPCs were prepared using mixtures of different proportions (40%, 50%, and 60%) of wood and bark fibers from various species, high-density polyethylene, and maleated polyethylene (3%) by a two-step process, extrusion and compression molding. Results indicated that wood fibers modify the resistivity of polyethylene at low frequencies but have no effect at microwave frequencies. Increasing the fiber content increases the composites’ dielectric properties. The fibers’ cellulose content explains the variation in the dielectric properties of composites reinforced with fibers from different wood species. Indeed, composites with high cellulose content show higher dielectric constants.


Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 2295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryung Il Kim ◽  
Ju Ho Shin ◽  
Jong Suk Lee ◽  
Jung-Hyun Lee ◽  
Albert S. Lee ◽  
...  

A series of UV-curable hybrid composite blends containing a carboxylic acid functionalized polyimidewith varying amounts of high molecular weight (~1 K) PEG-grafted ladder-structured polysilsesquioxanes copolymerized with methacryl groups were fabricated and their structural, thermal, mechanical, and surface properties characterized. At a composite weight ratio of polyimide above 50 wt.%, a stark shift from amorphous to crystalline polyethylene glycol (PEG) phases were observed, accompanied by a drastic increase in both surface moduli and brittleness index. Moreover, fabricated composites were shown to have a wide range water contact angle, 9.8°–73.8°, attesting to the tunable surface properties of these amphiphilic hybrid polymer composites. The enhanced mechanical properties, combined with the utility of tunable surface hydrophilicity allows for the possible use of these hybrid polymer composites to be utilized as photosensitive polyimide negative photoresists for a myriad of semiconductor patterning processes.


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