Influence of Coupling Agent in Polyolefinic Composites from Post-Consumer Waste with Eucalyptus Grandis Flour

Abstract

This study investigates the feasibility of using recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) with wood fiber from species Eucalyptus Grandis (EU) to manufacture experimental composite panels. The use of maleated polyethylene and polypropylene as coupling agent (CA) improved the compatibility between the fiber and plastic matrix and mechanical properties of the resultant composites compared well with only the polymer and composites without compatibilizer. It was evaluate the influence of coupling agent (CA) in polyolefin matrix at different concentrations of HDPE and PP in the composites, checking the physical, mechanical and morphological properties of wood plastic composites (WPC). HDPE and PP post-consumer, wood flour from Eucalyptus grandis (EU) species and graftized polyethylene and polypropylene with maleic anhydride (MA) as CA were used on formulations, being extruded and after injection molding. Results showed that composites with CA had a higher mechanical performance compared to no-compatibilized, it was confirmed also by morphological analysis. The results of contact angle showed that the incorporation of CA led an increase in surface energy of polymeric matrix promoting a better interaction with vegetable filler. Based on the findings in this work, it appears that recycled materials can be used to manufacture value-added panels without having any significant adverse influence on material properties.