Enhanced Anhydride Coupling Agents for Wood Polymer Composites

摘要

In this study, we report on next generation coupling agents based on high molecular weight, random copolymers of ethylene and anhydride functional monomers that have been specifically designed for wood-polymer applications. A standard high-pressure free radical synthesis technique was used to create a high molecular weight ethylene copolymer with a very high level of reactive functionality (greater than 3 weight percent anhydride). This anhydride-functional-ethylene copolymer has been shown to improve the flexural strength and decrease the water absorption of wood-polymer composites when incorporated at loadings as low as 0.5 weight percent in the final part.