Structure And Properties Of Wood Polymer Composites Wpc

At present, the use of polymer composites filled with wood (WPC) is becoming increasingly popular. In particular, flooring of terraced premises, siding, decorative fences, fence systems, steps, universal profiles, among others are made from WPC. In 1977, the first enterprise for the production of WPC appeared in Sweden. The first experience was not very successful – the demand turned out to be low, and the wear of technological equipment was very high. Therefore, developments in this field were resumed only in the 1990s and continue to this day. This book describes the basic physical and mechanical properties of modern WPC, such as tensile and compression strength, and hardness. Also, the influence of climatic factors on the performance properties of products from WPC is described, while the thermal and rheological properties of WPC materials are considered, which directly affect the consumer characteristics of the products. The book contains theoretical developments related to the prediction of the mechanical and thermal properties of polymers and composites. The Van der Waals volume and the energy of the intermolecular interaction are estimated. This book will be of interest to representatives of the WPC market, designers, and architects, as well as technology engineers, students and post-graduate students of higher educational institutions in the fields of chemistry and physics of composite polymer materials.

Wood-polymer composites (WPC) are materials in which wood is impregnated with monomers that are then polymerised in the wood to tailor the material for special applications. The resulting properties of these materials, from lightness and enhanced mechanical properties to greater sustainability, has meant a growing number of applications in such areas as building, construction and automotive engineering. This important book reviews the manufacture of wood-polymer composites, how their properties can be assessed and improved and their range of uses. After an introductory chapter, the book reviews key aspects of manufacture, including raw materials, manufacturing technologies and interactions between wood and synthetic polymers. Building on this foundation, the following group of chapters discusses mechanical and other properties such as durability, creep behaviour and processing performance. The book concludes by looking at orientated wood-polymer composites, wood-polymer composite foams, at ways of assessing performance and at the range of current and future applications. With its distinguished editors and international team of contributors, Wood-polymer composites is a valuable reference for all those using and studying these important materials. Provides a comprehensive survey of major new developments in wood-polymer composites Reviews the key aspects of manufacture, including raw materials and manufacturing technologies Discusses properties such as durability, creep behaviour and processing performance

This book comprehensively covers the different topics of wood polymer composite materials mainly synthesis methods for the composite materials, various characterization techniques to study the superior properties and insights on potential advanced applications. It also discusses the chemistry, fabrication process, properties, applications, recycling and life cycle assessment of wood polymer composites. This is a useful reference source for both engineers and researchers working in composite materials science as well as the students attending materials science, physics, chemistry and engineering courses.

Wood-plastic composite (WPC) is a non-recyclable composite material lumber or timber made of recycled plastic and wood wastes which has become one of the most dynamic sectors of the plastics industry in this decade. It is used in numerous applications, such as, outdoor deck floors, railings, fences, landscaping timbers, park benches, window and door frames. This book starts with a brief glimpse at the basic structures and properties of WPCs. Aspects such as surface treatment, machinery used and testing types of WPCs are also covered. The following chapters of the book give a view of foam technology, flame retardant properties and colour retardant properties of WPCs. The way morphology affects or controls the physical and mechanical behaviours of the finished materials is discussed. Finally, the authors give an overview of the applications of wood-plastic composites in daily life. The book may serve as a source book for scientists wishing to work in this field.

Wood Polymer Composites are a new group of hybrid materials, which combine the advantages of synthetic polymers such as polyolefines and natural polymers such as wood; whereas the synthetic polymer is used as matrix material and the wood as reinforcement material or filler. As matrix material, principally every thermoplastic polymer with a processing temperature below 200°C can be used due to the temperature sensivity of wood. Wood Polymer Composites are processed typically with processing technologies from the plastic industry such as extrusion and injection molding. The present study was conducted to explore the possibility of wood particle modification with different types of silanes. It was the aim to contribute the silanes as compatibilizers or coupling agent and therefore improve the mechanical properties and the resistance against water. Norway spruce (Picea abies) as representative wood species was used in three different particle types. The size distribution for the wood particles ranges from 70-2500 µm. Four commercial available silanes with various functional groups (amino, di-amino, alkyl) were used as modification agents. The concentrations varied between 1.5%, 3.0%, 4.5% and 7.5%. As reference system commonly used maleated acid anhydride based coupling agents were used. The pre-treated wood particles were compounded via extrusion with polypropylene and samples were produced via injection and compression molding. The following properties were tested; tensile, bending, and impact strength, water uptake (cold and boiling water test), descent rate, weathering tests and durability test against basidiomycetes. SEM-EDX investigations proved the presence of silane either in the cell wall structure, or on the wood particle surface. Due to the structure and the functionality of the silanes it was expected that the silane treated wood particles are able to improve the mechanical properties. It was shown that the silanes had no significant effect as compatibilizer or coupling agent. The mechanical properties strongly increase with the usage of coupling agent. Both coupling agents were based on maleic acid anhydride grafted on a polymer backbone, whereas Type I reaches an optimum regarding the mechanical properties at 3%, the coupling agent Type II still improves the mechanical properties up to a ratio of 4.5% with no clear optimum. The silane pretreatment influences the improvement not significantly, compare to the improvement caused by the coupling agent. The used wood particles showed mechanical degradation during the compounding process. The biggest degradation was monitored for the wood particles of Lignocel® Type 9. Due to its fine structure it can be assumed that the Arbocel® C100 wood particles consist of only cell wall fragments of the wooden cell wall, which express a better resistance against mechanical destruction during the process. The Wood Polymer Composites showed a lower decay rate compared to solid wood. The moisture content within the Wood Polymer Composite samples ranges at the low optimum level for fungi attack and were not significantly improved by an accelerated wetting before the test. The core remains relatively dry. The main protection seems to come from the encapsulation by the polymer. The weathered Wood Polymer Composite samples showed a strong color change within a relatively short period of exposure. The color changed independently from the silane type or the silane ratio. Also an increase of cracks and gaps on the sample surface was observed compared to the unexposed sample and the pure polymer reference.

Wood, Plastics, Composite materials, Cellulose, Wood fibres, Thermoplastic polymers, Physical properties of materials, Mechanical properties of materials, Thermal properties of materials, Fire resistance, Durability

Wood, Plastics, Composite materials, Cellulose, Wood fibres, Thermoplastic polymers, Physical properties of materials, Mechanical properties of materials, Thermal properties of materials, Fire resistance, Durability, Roof decking, Cladding (buildings), Woodbased sheet materials

Polymeric composites with rice hulls have superior properties compared with other polymer composites and are suitable for a wider range of applications. This book explains what it is that makes polymeric composites with rice hulls ideal substitutes for natural wood and how they may help ease global environmental concerns. It is an ideal source of information for researchers, resin-pellet manufacturers, processors and end users.