HOW EFFICIENT IS DRY-BLENDING AND ROTOMOLDING TO PRODUCE WOOD-PLASTICS COMPOSITES COMPARED TO COMPRESSION MOLDING

摘要

In this work, wood-plastics composites (WPC) were produced at different wood contents (0-40% wt.) in linear medium density polyethylene (LMDPE). In particular, the initial dry-blending of the materials was performed and a comparison is made on the effect of the processing method used: 1) compression molding, 2) melt blending followed by compression molding, and 3) rotational molding. The composite properties are then compared in terms of mechanical properties (tension and flexion) as well as polymer degradation while processing.