Effect of compatiblizer blends on polyethylene/wood/clay nanocomposites

摘要

Addition of wood flour to a polymer matrix improves its mechanical and thermal properties. Compatibilizers such as maleic anhydride modified polyethylene (MAPE) are used to enhance the interfacial adhesion between wood fibers and the polymer. The addition of organically modified montmorrilonite (oMMT) to a wood/polymer composite (WPC) in the presence of MAPE, reduces its linear coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and increases the heat deflection temperature (HDT) without affecting the processability. This project concentrates on blending high and low molecular weight MAPEs in order to maximize their compatibilization effects on WPC/clay nanocomposites. A report on the effects of the ratio of high to low molecular weight MAPEs, extruder temperature in the first mixing zone, and clay loading on the thermal and mechanical properties of WPC/clay nanocomposites will be presented.