Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Associate Professor, Department of Wood and Paper Engineering, Savadkooh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Savadkooh, I.R. Iran.
2 Department of Engineering sciences, Technical and Vocational University (TVU), Tehran, Iran
3 Faculty of Chemistry and Petrochemical Engineering, Department of Cellulosic Materials and Packaging, Standard Research Institute (SRI), Karaj
Abstract
Background and objectives: Considering the increasing attention to composites in various industries, the investigation and improvement of the mechanical and thermal properties of these materials have become particularly important. Given the environmental problems caused by the use of synthetic materials, the use of natural and renewable materials such as spruce wood flour in combination with a polymer such as recycled polyethylene can be an effective solution for producing sustainable and environmentally friendly materials. This research aims to investigate the effect of mixing temperature on the mechanical and thermal properties of the composite made from spruce wood flour and recycled polyethylene. Temperature, as one of the key parameters in the composite production process, can have a significant impact on the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties. In this regard, investigating the effect of temperature on their mechanical and thermal behavior of this composite can help develop new products and improve their performance in various industries.
Methodology: The use of wood flour as a natural and renewable material, along with recycled polyethylene, can contribute to the development of green and sustainable products. For this purpose, polyethylene (at a constant level of 50%), spruce wood flour (at a constant level of 50%), injection molding temperature (150, 170, and 190 degrees Celsius), and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (at a constant level of 3%) were mixed together using a twin-screw extruder. In this study, standard test specimens were made using the injection molding method. Mechanical properties including tensile and flexural strength, tensile and flexural modulus, as well as notched impact resistance were measured and evaluated. In addition, the thermal and flammability properties of the samples were also investigated.
Results: The results showed that increasing the press temperature from 150 to 190 degrees Celsius significantly increased the tensile and flexural strength and modulus of the samples. Specifically, the notched impact resistance decreased by 8, 9.3, 7.5, 4.6, and 3.0 percent, respectively. These changes indicate the effect of temperature on the mechanical behavior and ability of this composite to withstand various loads. In addition, with increasing injection temperature, the thermal stability did not change much, and the amount of residual ash was 10.96, 10.96, 11.92, and 0.56 percent, respectively. These results indicate that even with temperature changes, the thermal stability of the composite is not significantly affected, and the amount of residual ash remains constant.
Conclusion: The results of this research show that the mixing temperature directly affects the mechanical and thermal properties of the composite made from spruce wood flour and recycled polyethylene. Increasing the temperature can help improve the final performance of these types of composites in various applications, including packaging and the automotive industry. Choosing the right temperature and material composition can lead to the development of products with desirable characteristics and high performance. Overall, this research emphasizes the importance of temperature in the design and optimization of composites and can be used as a scientific basis for the development of new and sustainable materials in the future. Future studies could include a more detailed evaluation of the effects of temperature on other physical and chemical properties of this composite to gain a better understanding of their behavior under different conditions.
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