Hybrid High-Density Polyethylene/ Woodflour/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites

摘要

This study was aimed at identifying the best approach of incorporating nanoclay into wood-plastic composites (WPCs) to enhance their mechanical properties. Two different methods of introducing nano-clays into high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-based WPCs were examined. The first method involved the reinforcement of HDPE matrix with nanoclay, which was then used as a matrix in the manufacture of the composites (melt blending process). The second method consisted of a direct addition of nanoclay into HDPE/wood-flour composites during conventional dry compounding (direct dry blending process). The mechanical properties of injection-molded WPCs were characterized using flexural, tensile, and dynamic mechanical analysis tests. The degree of nanoclay intercalation in nanocomposites was characterized by means of X-ray diffraction method. The melt blending process, in which nanoclay/HDPE nano-composite was used as a matrix, appeared to be the best approach for incorporating nanoclay in WPCs. The experimental results indicated that the mechanical properties of HDPE/wood-flour composites could be significantly improved with an appropriate combination of the coupling agent content and nanoclay type in the composites.