Development and Characterization of Wood and Non-wood Particle Based Green Composites

Abstract

Production of green composites involve a manufacturing process that combining both renewable plant-based particles and green polymers. Characteristics of wood and non-wood particles are one of the main factors that influencing the properties of green composite, particularly particle based composite i.e., particleboard and wood plastic composite (WPC). Characterization of wood and non-wood particles are vital for properties determination of the resulting particleboard and WPC. The present work reviewed some characterization studies of particles including the size (length, width, and thickness, aspect ratio, and slenderness ratio) and geometry of the particles. This paper also highlighted the effects of particle size and geometry of wood and non-wood particle on the mechanical and physical properties of particleboard and WPC. Findings revealed that particle size exerted significant effect on the mechanical and physical properties of both particleboard and WPC. On the other hand, types of materials (wood or non-wood) are crucial factor that affects the performance of particleboard, but not a critical factor on the performance of WPC as it contained lesser amount of particles.