POLYPROPYLENE-WOOD FIBER COMPOSITES - EFFECT OF TREATMENT AND MIXING CONDITIONS ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

摘要

Polypropylene/wood fiber composites were prepared at three different temperatures: 170 degrees C, 180 degrees C, and 190 degrees C. The surface of wood fibers was modified through the use of silane coupling agents and/or coating with polypropylene or maleated polypropylene. The fiber coating was performed by propylene polymerization in the presence of wood fibers or by immersion in an o-dichlorobenzene polypropylene (or maleated polypropylene) solution. Tensile and three-point bending tests were performed in order to evaluate the adhesion between matrix and wood fibers. Evidence shows that 180 degrees C is the best mixing temperature, while the use of vinyl-tris (2-methoxy ethoxy) silane with or without maleated polypropylene coating is the best surface treatment. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [References: 13]