Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Department of Wood and Paper Science, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
2 Department of Wood and Paper Science, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.
3 Wood and Forest Products Science Research Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Coupling agents in wood fiber reinforced plastic composites play an important role in
improving compatibility and adhesion between polar wood fiber and non-polar polymer
matrices by forming bridges of chemical bonds between the fiber and the matrix. Maleated
polyethylene (MAPE) and diisocyanate (HMDI) are two most common coupling agents which
are subject to evaluation, singly and in mixture. Polypropylene and wood fibers were
compounded with Maleated polyethylene (MAPE) and diisocyanate (HMDI) in concentration of
2% and 4% in solitary form and mixture form (HMDI %2 + MAPE %2) into pellets using a
counter-rotating twin-screw extruder and mechanical test specimens were prepared by injection
molding. The result showed that adding 4% MAPE and 2% HMDI individually lead to increase
in flexural and tensile strength of the composites. Also adding (%2HMDI + %2MAPE) caused
an increase of flexural, tensile and in particular the impact strength.
Keywords
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