Co-Extrusion of Wood Flour/PP Composites with PP-Based Cap Layer Reinforced with Macro-and Micro-Sized Cellulosic Fibres

Abstract:

In order to improve the properties of a co-extruded wood-plastic composite (WPC), different types of cellulosic fibres, pulp cellulose (PC), a combination of PC/microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and wood flour (WF) with different size were introduced into shell layer based on a polypropylene (PP) matrix. The combination of PC/MFC improved the tensile properties compared to PC alone; but the impact strength was independent on the MFCs content. The presence of MFCs did not influence the water absorption (WA), but thickness swelling (TS) increased, however. The properties of the WF/PP-shell composite were highly affected by the WF particle size. The 20-mesh-sized WF-loaded composite had weaker mechanical properties compared to the smaller sized, Arbocel C320, shell-layer filled WPC. Also, Arbocel C320/PP-coated WPC had the highest tensile properties among all studied composites. The morphology of the composites was examined with a scan electron microscope.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 834-836)
• Pages: 203-210
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.834-836.203
• Online since: October 2013
• Authors: Irina Turku*, Kimmo Hämäläinen, Timo Kärki
• Keywords: Cellulosic Fibres, Co-Extrusion, Impact Strength, Microfibrillated Cellulose, Tensile Properties, Wettability

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