Heterophasic polypropylene and wood flour composites: processing and properties. (24th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pereira, Camila; Pisanu, Luciano; Viana, Josiane; Azevedo, Joyce; Almeida, Tatiara; Fook, Marcus; Wellen, Renate; Canedo, Eduardo
• Is Part Of: Materials research express. Volume 6:Number 8(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-05-24
• Subjects: polypropylene -- wood floor -- composites -- extrusion; Materials science -- Research -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1088/2053-1591/ab1fc6
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2053-1591

Abstract

Abstract: Heterophasic polypropylene (PP) composites with 10%, 20%, and 30% wood flour were processed in a modular co-rotating twin-screw 4-hole extruder (4F) operated at different screw rotation rates (100, 200 and 300 rpm). The composites were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical microscopy (OM) and melt flow rate (MFR). The mechanical properties in tension, bending, and impact were determined, and the effect of loading content and processing conditions on these properties were evaluated. The same compositions were prepared in an internal mixer and analyzed to determine the loading effect on the incipient degradation of the matrix during processing. The characterization tests revealed a good load distribution, significant improvements in mechanical properties and increased crystallinity with loading content. The sample with 10% wood flour shows some exceptional characteristics: a greater elongation at break and impact strength for the extruded composite and a higher degradation rate for the product processed in an internal mixer.