Abstract
Thermal behaviors of eucalyptus wood residue (EWR) filled recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites have been measured applying the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Morphology of the materials was also studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Addition of the EWR into the recycled HDPE matrix reduced the starting of degradation temperature. EWR filled recycled HDPE had two main decomposition peaks, one for EWR around 350 degrees C and one for recycled HDPE around 460 degrees C. Addition of EWR did not affect the melting temperature of the recycled HDPE. Morphological study showed that addition of coupling agent improved the compatibility between wood residue and recycled HDPE.
Highlights
In the last twenty years, the use of lignocellulosic fibers as filler in the plastic industry has increased progressively [1]
Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) analysis was performed on eucalyptus wood residue (EWR), unfilled recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) (A), EWR filled recycled HDPE composites (B), and EWR filled recycled HDPE composites modified with MAPE coupling agent (C)
Initial degradation of EWR was started around 220 °C while recycled HDPE started around 300 °C
Summary
In the last twenty years, the use of lignocellulosic fibers as filler in the plastic industry has increased progressively [1]. Thermoplastics are combined with lignocellulosic (wood) fillers to produce woodplastic composites (WPC). They provide several advantages such as low densities, low cost, nonabrasive nature [1,2,3,4], possibility of high filling levels, low energy consumption, high specific properties, biodegradability, availability of a wide variety of fibers throughout the world, and generation of a rural/agricultural-based economy [5,6]. First patented application of WPC was to manufacture of automotive interior substrates using extruded polypropylene and wood flour [1,7,8]. Study investigated the effect of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene as a coupling agent on the mechanical properties and the morphology of the composites
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