Abstract
The growth of wood–polymer composites (WPCs) as sustainable materials is generating a steadily increasing impact in various industrial and consumer sectors. A detailed analysis of the thermal stability and crystallization and melting behavior of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) with red pine wood flour, under dynamic and isothermal conditions in the presence of a processing aid with varying filler particle sizes, is presented. Only small variations were found in the thermal stability. The wood particles have a heterogeneous nucleating effect on iPP crystallization that reduces the free energy of nucleation and increases the overall crystallization rate to a greater extent in composites with smaller particle size prepared without the processing aid. With the processing aid the formation of a fraction of β-iPP crystals was found, independent of wood particle size. Competition between heterogeneous nucleation and auto nucleation processes was found.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
