The Effect of using the Flour of Kiwi (Actinidia sp.) Twigs and Refined Fibers in the Production of Polypropylene/Wood Plastic Composites

Abstract

This study uses a combination of wood flour, obtained from kiwi twigs, together with refined fibers and polypropylene material to make a hybrid composite of polypropylene/wood/fiber. The materials were mixed in a twin-screw extruder, and the samples were made via an injection molding method. The tensile, flexural, and impact strengths, as well as the physical characteristics were measured based on ASTM standards. The results indicated that when the flour dimensions were reduced from 20 mesh to 40 mesh, the tensile and flexural strength, tensile and flexural modulus, and elongation at break were reduced. The notched impact strength, water absorption, and thickness swelling during 2 h and 24 h of immersion in water, and the water absorption and thickness swelling during 2 h immersion in boiling water, increased. In addition, by increasing the amount of refined fiber instead of kiwi wood flour, the tensile and flexural strength, tensile and flexural modulus, elongation at break, and the notched impact strength wereincreased. The water absorption and thickness swelling during 24 h of immersion in water and the water absorption and thickness swelling during 2 h immersion in boiling water were decreased.