Mechanical and Processing Properties of Plasticised PVC/Wood Composites

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Engineering
• Composite Materials

Background:

• Wood-polymer composites (WPC) offer a sustainable alternative to traditional materials.
• Plasticised poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC-P) is a versatile polymer matrix for WPC.
• Optimizing WPC properties requires understanding the interplay between fillers and plasticisers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of wood flour and plasticiser content on the functional and processing properties of PVC-P based WPC.
• To quantify the effects of varying Arbocel C 320 and di-isononyl phthalate concentrations on composite performance.

Main Methods:

• Production of WPC with wood filler content up to 50 phr and plasticiser content up to 40 phr.
• Analysis of tensile properties, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), and water absorption.
• Evaluation of rheological properties and fusion process characteristics.

Main Results:

• Increasing wood flour content (up to 50 phr) significantly enhanced tensile modulus and viscosity.
• Higher plasticiser content (up to 40 phr) reduced tensile modulus and viscosity.
• Wood flour addition was found to diminish the effectiveness of the plasticiser.

Conclusions:

• The ratio of wood flour to plasticiser critically influences the mechanical and rheological properties of PVC-P WPC.
• Careful formulation is necessary to balance desired properties like stiffness and processability.
• Findings provide insights for designing tailored WPC materials for specific applications.