HYBRID NANOCLAY-RIGID PVC-WOOD-FLOUR COMPOSITES

摘要

This study examined the use of nanoclay reinforced rigid PVC prepared with a novel melt-blending approach as a matrix for PVC/wood-flour composites. The effects of nanoclay contents and chitin as coupling agent on the properties of the composites were evaluated. The flexural, tensile and dynamic mechanical properties of composites made with nanoclay reinforced PVC matrix and chitin were measured and compared to their counterparts made with unreinforced PVC matrix. The experimental results indicate that wood-plastic composites with properties similar to solid wood could be manufactured by tailoring the formulation, i.e., combining nanoclay, rigid PVC, wood flour, and coupling agent.