Research Summary: Use of Wood-Based Particles in Thermoplastic Composites

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The successful use of wood-based particles and fibers as fillers or reinforcements in thermoplastic composites requires an essential considerate of the structural and chemical personalities of wood [1]. English and Falk give an inclusive overview of the factors that influence the properties of wood–plastic composites [2]. While several studies have revealed that fiber-polymer compatibility can be improved by selecting appropriate coupling agents [3,4], compatibility between polar wood fiber and non-polar thermoplastics remains key to extend the function limits of the resulting composites [5]. Another repeatedly cited key factor in natural fiber thermoplastic composites is thermal degradation [6]. In addition, different wood species have different anatomical structures. These structural differences direct the use of these materials in WPC. For instance, fiber dimensions, strength, unpredictability, and structure are important consideration. Maldas et al. have investigated the result of wood species on the mechanical properties of wood/thermoplastic composites [7]. They reported that differences in morphology, density, and aspect ratios across wood species account for varying strengthening properties in thermoplastic composites. Recently, Neagu et al. investigated the stiffness part of various wood fibers to composite materials. They observed a connection between lignin content and longitudinal Young’s modulus, and an optimal lignin content range for maximum fiber stiffness was recorded for softwood Kraft fibers [8]. Several efforts have been practiced to link wood-based particles and fiber properties to WPC properties [9–11]. A high aspect ratio (length/width) is very essential in fiber strengthened composites, as it indicates pote...

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...felt that using a considerably larger amount in the WPC matrix would consequence in the formation of excellent mechanical properties, especially if the exfoliated microstructure could be reached [17]. In fact, even in the HDPE/nano-silicate matrix, significant developments in qualities and performance were noticed for 0.05 to 1-wt% of clay. In order to avoid the formation of a microstructure that is not positive to the even diffusion of the nano-silicates in the WPC matrix (also known as intercalated structure), a compabilitizer such as maleated polyethylene (PE-g-MAn) is used to raise the cohesiveness between the nano-clay, woodfiber and plastic borders [18]. Rather than using a different bonding agent for the woodfiber/polymer and nano-silicate/polymer interfaces, using PE-g-MAn alone can save on cost as well as simplifies the formulation

of the material [19].

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