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Fabrication optimization of polypropylene composites reinforced with steam-exploded wood flour by wet process

Herstellungsoptimierung von im Nassverfahren hergestellten Polypropylenverbundwerkstoffen verstärkt mit im Dampfdruckverfahren erzeugtem Holzmehl

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Abstract

To take advantage of the unique characteristics of the wood flour by combining them with plastic in conventional panel pressing methods, a wet process was developed to make composites using polypropylene and steam-exploded (SE) flour from small-diameter loblolly pine. Wet-laid wood flour/polymer composites were fabricated using a standard TAPPI handsheet method followed by compression molding. The variables that may affect the product properties were investigated using an orthogonal test design. The results revealed that the modulus of elasticity (MOE) of composites increased, while modulus of rupture (MOR) decreased with increasing SE wood flour content. Both MOE and MOR of the composites increased with maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene content. Dynamic mechanical analyzer and differential scanning calorimetry measurement gave insight into the structure of these composites, and scanning electron microscope was used to characterize the interfacial adhesion.

Zusammenfassung

Um die besonderen Eigenschaften von Holzmehl in Kombination mit Kunststoff bei konventionellen Plattenpressverfahren voll auszunutzen, wurde ein Nassverfahren zur Herstellung von Verbundwerkstoffen aus Polypropylen und im Dampfdruckverfahren erzeugtem Holzmehl aus Weihrauchkieferschwachholz entwickelt. Holzmehl-Polypropylen-Verbundstoffe wurden nach einem TAPPI-Standardverfahren im Nassverfahren aufgebracht und anschließend verpresst. Die Variablen, die die Produkteigenschaften beeinflussen können, wurden mittels eines orthogonalen Versuchsdesigns untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass der E-Modul der Verbundwerkstoffe mit zunehmendem Holzmehlanteil zunahm, während die Biegefestigkeit abnahm. Mit steigendem Gehalt an Maleinsäureanhydrid gepfropftem Polypropylen stieg sowohl der E-Modul als auch die Biegefestigkeit der Werkstoffe. Dynamisch-mechanische Analysen und Differenzialrasterkalorimeter-Messungen gaben einen Einblick in die Struktur dieser Verbundwerkstoffe. Mittels eines Rasterelektronenmikroskops wurde die Haftung zwischen dem Holz und der Kunststoffmatrix untersucht.

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Correspondence to Siqun Wang.

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Cheng, Q., Wang, S., Rials, T.G. et al. Fabrication optimization of polypropylene composites reinforced with steam-exploded wood flour by wet process . Eur. J. Wood Prod. 67, 449–455 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-009-0339-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-009-0339-8

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