Effect of Recycling on the Mechanical Properties of Wood Fiber-Polystyrene Composites. II. Sawdust as a Reinforcing Filler

Abstract

Abstract The recycling behavior of sawdust, both hardwood and softwood, filled polystyrene composites was observed by measuring the mechanical properties and dimensional stability under normal conditions (room temperature) as well as extreme ones (e.g., exposure to water at room temperature and boiling temperature, and to heat at +105°C and −20°C). Mechanical properties and dimensional stability of the original and recycled composites—that is, nontreated and treated ones (e.g., 3% isocyanate, coated fiber-filled and grafted fiber-filled)—are compared under all extreme conditions. the behavior of the recycled composites did not change significantly. Furthermore, treated wood fiber-filled thermoplastic composites offered superior mechanical properties and dimensional stability under all extreme conditions, even after recycling.