Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The mechanical and thermal properties of wood plastic composites based on heat-treated composite granules and HDPE

  • Composites & nanocomposites
  • Published:
Journal of Materials Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

To improve the mechanical and thermal properties of wood plastic composites for building and structural applications, pretreatment was applied to the composite granules. A melt compounding process was employed in the manufacturing of the composite granules. The extruded composite granules were dried at 95–135 °C for 24 h. Composites were also prepared from composite granules at room temperature which served as the control. The optimum pretreatment temperature was found at 105 °C, where the mechanical properties were optimized. The SEM results showed that the composites made from heat-treated granules at 105 °C have better interfacial bonding due to adequate wetting compared to their untreated counterparts. FTIR spectroscopy revealed no significant changes in the intensity and shape of the peaks between the treated and untreated granules, which implies that the heat treatment has a negligible influence on the functional groups present. Overall, the results demonstrate that the pretreatment of composite granules is a viable strategy for obtaining biocomposites with improved mechanical and thermal performance.

Graphical abstract

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13
Figure 14

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Not applicable.

References

  1. Sanjay M, Siengchin S, Parameswaranpillai J, Jawaid M, Pruncu CI, Khan A (2019) A comprehensive review of techniques for natural fibers as reinforcement in composites: preparation, processing and characterization. Carbohdr Polym 207:108–121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Lin T, Wang Z, Guo WJ (2012) Cotton fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites. Appl Mech Mater 138:581–587

    Google Scholar 

  3. Yashas Gowda T, Sanjay M, Subrahmanya Bhat K, Madhu P, Senthamaraikannan P, Yogesha B (2018) Polymer matrix-natural fiber composites: an overview. Cogent Eng 5(1):1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Neelamana IK, Thomas S, Parameswaranpillai J (2013) Characteristics of banana fibers and banana fiber reinforced phenol formaldehyde composites-macroscale to nanoscale. J Appl Polym Sci 130(2):1239–1246

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Ejeta LO (2023) Nanoclay/organic filler-reinforced polymeric hybrid composites as promising materials for building, automotive, and construction applications-a state-of-the-art review. Compos Interfaces 30(12):1363–1386

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Nukala SG, Kong I, Kakarla AB, Kong W, Kong W (2022) Development of wood polymer composites from recycled wood and plastic waste: thermal and mechanical properties. J Compos Sci 6(7):1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Xie Y, Hill CA, Xiao Z, Militz H, Mai C (2010) Silane coupling agents used for natural fiber/polymer composites: a review. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf 41(7):806–819

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Kuka E, Andersons B, Cirule D, Andersone I, Kajaks J, Militz H et al (2020) Weathering properties of wood-plastic composites based on heat-treated wood and polypropylene. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf 139:1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Ashori A, Behzad HM, Tarmian A (2013) Effects of chemical preservative treatments on durability of wood flour/HDPE composites. Compos B Eng 47:308–313

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Adhikary KB, Pang S, Staiger MP (2008) Dimensional stability and mechanical behaviour of wood–plastic composites based on recycled and virgin high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Compos B Eng 39(5):807–815

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Gulitah V, Liew KC (2018) Effect of plastic content ratio on the mechanical properties of wood-plastic composite (WPC) made from three different recycled plastic and acacia fibres. Trans sci technol 5(2):184–189

    Google Scholar 

  12. Novák I, Krupa I, Sedliačik J, Nógellová Z, Matyašovský J, Duchovič P et al (2018) Investigation of plastic/wood composites. Innov Woodwork Ind Eng Des 2:67–70

    Google Scholar 

  13. Dhakal HN, Za Z, Richardson MO (2007) Effect of water absorption on the mechanical properties of hemp fibre reinforced unsaturated polyester composites. Compos Sci Technol 67(7–8):1674–1683

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Mutjé P, Vallejos M, Girones J, Vilaseca F, López A, López J et al (2006) Effect of maleated polypropylene as coupling agent for polypropylene composites reinforced with hemp strands. J Appl Polym Sci 102(1):833–840

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Bekele LD, Zhang W, Liu Y, Duns GJ, Yu C, Jin L et al (2017) Impact of cotton stalk biomass weathering on the mechanical and thermal properties of cotton stalk flour/linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) composites. J Biobased Mater Bioenergy 11(1):27–33

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Pickering KL, Efendy MGA, Le TM (2016) A review of recent developments in natural fibre composites and their mechanical performance. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf 83:98–112

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Ayrilmis N, Jarusombuti S, Fueangvivat V, Bauchongkol P (2011) Effect of thermal-treatment of wood fibres on properties of flat-pressed wood plastic composites. Polym Degrad Stab 96(5):818–822

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Han T, Sophonrat N, Tagami A, Sevastyanova O, Mellin P, Yang W (2019) Characterization of lignin at pre-pyrolysis temperature to investigate its melting problem. Fuel 235:1061–1069

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Wrobel M, Jewiarz M, Mudryk K, Knapczyk A (2020) Influence of raw material drying temperature on the Scots pine (Pinus Sylvestris L.) biomass agglomeration process—a preliminary study. Energies 13(7):1–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Sutapun W, Ruksakulpiwat Y, Suppakarn N (2012) Effect of heat treatment on chemical structure of a bio-filler from vetiver grass. Adv Mater Res 410:71–74

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Bledzki A, Gassan J (1999) Composites reinforced with cellulose based fibres. Prog Polym Sci 24(2):221–274

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Shahzad A (2011) Effects of fibre surface treatments on mechanical properties of hemp fibre composites. Compos Interfaces 18(9):737–754

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The author would like to acknowledge the support of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China and Honorwood Company Ningbo China.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Room 327 Peter Mansfield Building, 199 Taikang East Road, Ningbo, 315100, China

    Lucky Ogheneakpobo Ejeta

Authors
  1. Lucky Ogheneakpobo Ejeta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Not applicable.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lucky Ogheneakpobo Ejeta.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The author declared that there is no known competing interest in any form that could inappropriately appear to have influenced this research paper.

Ethical approval

Not applicable.

Additional information

Handling Editor: Stephen Eichhorn.

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ejeta, L.O. The mechanical and thermal properties of wood plastic composites based on heat-treated composite granules and HDPE. J Mater Sci 58, 18090–18104 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-023-09169-w

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-023-09169-w

Search

Navigation