Effect of Wood-derived Charcoal Content on Properties of Wood Plastic Composites

The effect of wood-derived charcoal flour on the water resistance and mechanical properties of wood plastic composite (WPC) panels was investigated. The hot press molded WPC panels were produced from polypropylene (37 wt%) with maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP, 3 wt%) and different mixtures of wood flour and charcoal flour. The amount of charcoal flour was gradually increased up to 60 wt%. The thickness swelling and water absorption of WPC panels considerably decreased with increasing charcoal flour content. The internal bond strength and bending properties of the WPC panels significantly improved with increasing charcoal flour content. This was mainly attributed to the high amount of pores and gaps in the charcoal flour. Melted polypropylene could get into the pores and gaps during the hot press molding, which lead to a better interfacial adhesion between polymer matrix and wood filler. The results showed that the charcoal flour could be partially substituted for the wood flour in the production of WPC panels having higher dimensional stability and internal bond strength

Cellulosic fiber based hybrid composites: A comparative investigation into their structurally influencing mechanical properties

This paper focuses on hybrid and twisted hybrid Indian mallow/roselle cellulosic fiber yarn mat reinforced polyester composites and effects of their wood sawdust filler. The composite materials were fabricated using compression molding technique. There were four different combinations of hybrid yarn mat composite samples used, while the twisted hybrids were six. An evaluation of the hybrid and twisted hybrid mechanical properties for the single and double layer cases of the yarn mat was done with and without wood sawdust filler effects. The samples were tested at both warp and weft directions. From the results obtained at warp direction, it was observed that for the hybrid double layer case, longitudinal yarn mat with wood sawdust (filler) composite sample exhibited better tensile, impact and flexural strength properties in comparison with other related composites of hybrid type reported in literature. Moreover, the modified twisted hybrid double layer composites with longitudinal yarn mat and wood sawdust filler sample recorded significantly greater improvement on the mechanical properties at warp direction, when compared with the hybrid double layer longitudinal yarn mat composites with wood sawdust filler and other reported similar hybrid composite materials. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique was utilized to evaluate morphological internal damage (cracks) and fractured surfaces of the various tested composite samples. Based on their mechanical performances and for further practical evidence, these two types of eco-composites were used to effectively fabricate tri-wheeler auto-wheel hubs and ceiling fan blades, as applicable to automobile and electronics industries, respectively.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Macro and micromechanics analysis of short fiber composites stiffness: The case of old newspaper fibers-polypropylene composites

Stiffness is one of the most relevant characteristics of composite materials. Natural wood fibers have demonstrated their ability to increase the Young's moduli of composite materials, and old newspapers are a potential source of reinforcing fibers for composite materials. There are some micromechanic models to predict the Young's modulus of composite materials, and one of the input data is the intrinsic modulus of their fibers. This intrinsic modulus is a value which is difficult or impossible to measure in the case of wood fibers, due to their measures. This paper evaluates the stiffening abilities of old newspaper fibers and the possibility to back calculate the value of the intrinsic Young's Modulus by means of micromechanic models. Different percentages of old newspaper fibers were compounded with polypropylene (PP). Micromechanics of the fibers were obtained using Hirsch model, Cox-Krenchel's model, Tsai-Pagano model and Halpin-Tsai equations. The most important results were the average intrinsic Young's modulus of the fibers, the mean orientation angle and the mean modulus efficiency factor.Serrano, A.; Espinach, FX.; Tresserras, J.; Rey Tormos, RMD.; Pellicer, N.; Mutje Pujol, P. (2014). Macro and micromechanics analysis of short fiber composites stiffness: The case of old newspaper fibers-polypropylene composites. Materials and Design. 55:319-324. doi:10.1016/j.matdes.2013.10.011S3193245

An overview of burst, buckling, durability and corrosion analysis of lightweight FRP composite pipes and their applicability

© 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.The main aim of this review article was to address the performance of filament wound fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composite pipes and their critical properties, such as burst, buckling, durability and corrosion. The importance of process parameters concerning merits and demerits of the manufacturing methods was discussed for the better-quality performance. Burst analysis revealed that the winding angle of ±55° was observed to be optimum with minimum failure mechanisms, such as matrix cracking, whitening, leakage and fracture. The reduction of buckling effect was reported in case of lower hoop stress value in the hoop to axial stress ratio against axial, compression and torsion. A significant improvement in energy absorption was observed in the hybrid composite pipes with the effect of thermal treatment. However, the varying winding angle in FRP pipe fabrication was reported as an influencing factor affecting all the aforementioned properties. Almost 90% of the reviewed studies was done using E-glass/epoxy materials for the composite pipe production. By overcoming associated limitations, such as replacing synthetic materials, designing new material combinations and cost-benefit analysis, the production cost of the lightweight FRP composite pipes can be decreased for the real-time applications.Peer reviewe

Water absorption and mechanical properties of PP/HIPS hybrid composites filled with wood flour

Water absorption and mechanical performance of the injection-molded hybrid composites prepared from different ratios of two polymer blends (57 wt%), two compatibilizers (3 wt%), and two wood species (40 wt%) were investigated. The ratio of polypropylene and high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) gradually increased in the blend (from 10 to 30 wt%). Styrene-ethylene-butylene-styreneblock copolymer and maleic anhydride-grafted PP (MAPP) were used as compatibilizer (3 wt%). The shore D hardness of the PP/wood composites was improved by the incorporation of the HIPS. The HIPS/wood flour composites showed higher tensile modulus but lower tensile strength than the PP/wood composites. The water resistance of the PP/wood composites decreased with increasing HIPS content. (C) 2015 Society of Plastics Engineer

Manufacture of Laminated Veneer Lumber

The waste powder produced during the manufacture of marble, which is presently mostly discarded in landfills, has the potential for higher-valued usage. Recycling marble waste powder will contribute to the protection of nature as well as economic gain. The potential use of waste marble powder as filler in the adhesive for manufacturing of laminated veneer lumber (LVL) was investigated in this study. With this objective, LVL panels were manufactured by adding marble factory waste powder in different ratios to polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and urea-formaldehyde (UF) adhesives. The waste powders of beige marbles and travertine marbles were mixed by weight with adhesives in the percentage levels of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%. Physical and mechanical tests were performed on the specimens obtained from the LVL panels. According to the results obtained from the present study, as compared to the control specimens, higher mechanical performance was obtained with the waste beige marble powder at high contents and with the waste travertine marble powder at low contents with the PVA adhesive. A poorer mechanical performance was found in the travertine powder with the UF adhesive. The dimensional stability of LVLs containing travertine powder was better than that of the LVLs containing beige marble powder

Manufacture of Laminated Veneer Lumber

The waste powder produced during the manufacture of marble, which is presently mostly discarded in landfills, has the potential for higher-valued usage. Recycling marble waste powder will contribute to the protection of nature as well as economic gain. The potential use of waste marble powder as filler in the adhesive for manufacturing of laminated veneer lumber (LVL) was investigated in this study. With this objective, LVL panels were manufactured by adding marble factory waste powder in different ratios to polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and urea-formaldehyde (UF) adhesives. The waste powders of beige marbles and travertine marbles were mixed by weight with adhesives in the percentage levels of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%. Physical and mechanical tests were performed on the specimens obtained from the LVL panels. According to the results obtained from the present study, as compared to the control specimens, higher mechanical performance was obtained with the waste beige marble powder at high contents and with the waste travertine marble powder at low contents with the PVA adhesive. A poorer mechanical performance was found in the travertine powder with the UF adhesive. The dimensional stability of LVLs containing travertine powder was better than that of the LVLs containing beige marble powder