Wood Plastic Composites
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Date
2013
Authors
Habayeb, Dania
Musleh, Aya
Yasin, Randa
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Abstract
Wood-Plastic Composites (WPCs) consist of wood particles and a thermoplastic matrix such as PE, PP and PVC. Among the thermoplastics, low density polyethylene is more favorable in the processing because of its uses as a Corrosion-resistant work surfaces and for Parts that need to be weldable and flexibility. WPCs are nowadays categorized as ‘‘green materials’’ due to the possible usage of recycled materials in their compositions and also their ability to be recycled.. The current study aims at producing an environmentally friendly artificial wood for structural application, by recycling mixed plastic waste and wood waste .Mixed wood waste collected from local Palestinian carpentry were sieved into different sizes and then dried. The wood waste was then mixed manually with plastic waste in sacks and then the mixture was fed into the single screw extruder to insure good mixing at melting stage. The extruded WPC composite was then thermally pressed into sheets using thermal press machine. The effect of the particle size and concentration of the wood waste on the mechanical, thermal and melt flow properties was then determined..The melt flow index, water absorption, modulus of elasticity (tensile) of the WPC samples produced were determined, and the results were compared with the recycled low density polyethylene (LDPE). The developed wood plastic composites exhibited lower ultimate strength and higher modules of elasticity than LDPE; the modules of elasticity increases with increasing the wood particle size. The melt flow index of the (WPC) products was much less than the recycled LDPE. Water absorption tests showed that the WPC absorbs a maximum of approximately 20% water which much better than any commercial wooden products. The crystallinity of the WPC was lower than recycled LDPE and was decreased with increasing
the wood concentration.
Our project focuses on developing a product that combines the properties of wood and plastic' especially the rigidity ' , which in turn meets the needs of the market and reduces the presence of huge amount of wood and plastic wastes . we applied on it different testing procedures particularly related to: -Water absorption Test -Melting flow index (MFI) - Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) Test -Tensile strength test.
Plastic and wood wastes have been a main environmental concern. Plastic is the biggest Problem due to its high amount of waste generated, non biodegradability and the fastest Depletion of natural resources regarding its short life cycle, therefore increased amount of Material utilized in its production, and waste generated. The same applies to wood with lesser degree where it is depleting trees and forests and the wastes mainly are either burned or disposed; resulting in extra consumption, depletion, and pollution of nature.