Improved Quality of Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) Through the Addition of Maleic Anhydride (MAH)

Abstract

Due to the hydrophilic nature of wood particles compared to the hydrophobic nature of plastic, Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) has the weakness that it requires the use of a coupling agent to strengthen the bond between its constituent components. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of adding Maleic Anhydride (MAH) on the quality of WPC (P1 0%, P2 4% and P3 8%). The flat pressing process takes 20 minutes at a temperature of 180°C and a press machine pressure of 30 bar, using a plastic to wood particle ratio of 60:40. Data were processed using a completely randomized design (CRD). P3 treatment (8% MAH) gave the best test results (densityof 0.704 g/cm3, moisturecontentof 2.321%, waterabsorptionof 15.719%, thicknessswellingof 1.733%, modulusofelasticityof 869.029 N/mm2, modulusofruptureof 6.517 N/mm2, and internal bondingstrengthof 0.926 N/mm2). Almost all tests on the physical properties of WPC meet the SNI 8154-2015 standard, but none of the tests on the mechanical properties of WPC meet the standards. This WPC performs well for non-structural use although it is not yet suitable for structural use.