Effect of polymeric matrix melt flow index in reprocessing extruded wood–plastic composites. (July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sarabi, Majid Tabkhpaz; Behravesh, Amir Hossein; Shahi, Peyman; Daryabari, Yasser
• Is Part Of: Journal of thermoplastic composite materials. Volume 27:Number 7(2014:Aug.)
• Page Start: 881
• Page End: 894
• Publication Date: 2014-07
• Subjects: Wood–plastic composite (WPC) -- reprocessing -- melt flow index (MFI) -- extrusion -- mechanical properties -- recycling WPC; Thermoplastic composites -- Periodicals; 668.423
• DOI: 10.1177/0892705712458445
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0892-7057

Abstract

This article presents an experimental study on the effect of polymeric matrix flow behavior on the properties of the reprocessed wood–plastic composites (WPC) of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and wood sawdust. WPCs are considered as sustainable materials due to their durability in the environmental conditions and recyclability. Three grades of HDPE were utilized as polymeric matrix with different melt flow indices (MFIs). Composites containing 60 wt% of sawdust were manufactured via a twin-screw extruder to produce 15 mm rod-shaped profiles (named here as virgin WPCs). In reprocessing, the produced WPC profiles were then ground to obtain WPC granules and then reprocessed (reextruded) via the same extruder. The mechanical properties of both the virgin and the reprocessed profiles were obtained from the bending tests and tensile tests, and the physical tests including water uptake and density measurements were also carried out. Interestingly, reprocessed composites produced with the low and middle MFI HDPE showed an increase in mechanical properties compared with the virgin ones, while for the composites with the high MFI HDPE, opposite result was observed. Water uptake measurement also indicated the best performance of the composites produced with the middle MFI HDPE.