Evaluation of Coupling Mechanisms in Wood Plastic Composites.

摘要

The major components of wood plastic composites (WPCs) are wood polymers, thermoplastics, coupling agents, and lubricants. Coupling agents are used to increase the adhesion between the thermoplastic matrix and the wood, thus increasing the mechanical properties, while lubricants increase the speed of production and surface properties. Maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) is a commonly used coupling agent in WPCs, while ethylene bisstearamide (EBS), the ester based Optipak 100 (OP100) and zinc stearate (ZnSt) are widely used lubricants. WPCs containing both MAPP and EBS or OP100 show no significant decreases in mechanical properties, while those containing ZnSt have a marked decrease. Currently the chemical interactions between wood and MAPP, and lubricants and MAPP are not well understood. This study focused on the chemical interactions between MAPP and wood polymers, MAPP and lubricants, and ternary blends of MAPP, wood polymers, and lubricants.