Influence of moisture absorption on mechanical properties of wood flour- polypropylene composites

Abstract

Wood-plastic composites are being examined for a greater number of structural-type applications that may be exposed to different environments, some of them adverse. This paper discusses the influence of moisture absorption on the mechanical proper-ties of wood flour-polypropylene composites. Composites filled with 20% or 40% wood flour (by weight) were placed in different environments, removed periodically, and tested for moisture content and mechanical properties. The composites filled with 20% wood flour (20% WF) absorbed moisture in all the environmental exposures, but no significantdegradation ofproperties was observed. The 40% WF composites absorbed more moisture than did the 20% WF composites. The flexural properties of composites subjected to a water bath and to 90% relative humidity were lower than the flexural properties of the other composites. Tensile properties and notched impact strengths decreased only for composites placed in a water bath. Unnotched impact strengths did not change significantly with absorption of moisture.

Citation

Stark, Nicole. 2001. Influence of moisture absorption on mechanical properties of wood flour- polypropylene composites. Journal of thermoplastic composite materials. Vol. 14 (Sept. 2001): Pages 421-432