Wood-polypropylene fiber composite

The surface energy of fibers is closely related to the hydrophilicity of the fiber [38]. Some investigations are concerned with methods to decrease hydrophilicity. The modification, of wood cellulose fibers with stearic acid [43] hydrophobizes those fibers and improves their dispersion in polypropylene. As can be observed in jute-reinforced unsaturated polyester resin composites, treatment with polyvinylacetate increases the mechanical properties [24] and moisture repellency. 

Mahlberg, R., Paajanen, L., Nurmi, A., Kivisto, A., Koskela, K. and Rowell, R.M. (2001). Effect of chemical modification of wood on the mechanical and adhesion properties of wood fiber/polypropylene fiber and polypropylene/veneer composites. Holz als Roh- und Werkstoff, 59(5), 319-326. 

Mixed waste paper can also be utilized for uses other than paper. The uses include (1) molding of paper fibers mixed with PE or polypropylene to form door panels, trunk liners, and plastic lumber (2) nonwoven mats of up to 90% paper fibers held together by synthetic fibers and (3) composites of wood, paper fiber, and gypsum. 

U.S. Pat. No. 6,939,496 [43] discloses a system and method of extruding plastic-cellulose fiber composite material, comprising 60-95% by weight of a thermoplastic polymer such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and PVC, 20-30% of cellulose fiber obtained from such materials as wood sawdust (60 mesh particle size), hemp, flax, straw and wheat, and a binding agent mixed with the filler. 

M.M. Stark and R.E. Roland. Effects of wood fiber characteristics on mechanical properties of wood/polypropylene composites. Wood J Fiber Sci., 2003, 35(2), 167-174. 

Polypropylene-based composite material (40% wood fiber) ... 

D. Feng and A.R. Sanadi. Effect of compatibilizer on the structure-property relationships of kenaf fiber-polypropylene composites. In Fourth International Conference on Wood-flber-Plastic Composites, Madison, WI, May 12-14, 1997, pp 157-160. 

Kim, S.J. Moon, J.B. Kim, G.H. Ha, C.S. (2008). Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/Natural Fiber Composites Comparison of Wood Fiber and Cotton Fiber. Polymer Testing, Vol.27, No. 7, (October 2008), pp. 801-806, ISSN 0142-9418 Kotek, J. Kelnar, L Studenovsky, M. Baldrian J. (2005). Chlorosulfonated polypropylene preparation and its application as a coupling agent in polypropylene-clay nanocomposites. Polymer, Vol. 46, No. 16, (June 2005), pp. 4876-4881, ISSN 0032-3861... 

Cantero G. Arbelaiz A. Mugika F. Valea A. Mondragon L Mechanical behavior of wood/polypropylene composites Effects of fiber treatments and ageing processes. Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, vol. 22, (2003), pp. 37-50. 

Coutinho, F.M.B. and Costa, T.H.S. (1999) Performance of polypropylene-wood fiber composites. Polymer Testing, 18, 581-587. 

Kim SJ, Moon JB, Kim GH, Ha CS (2008) Mechanical properties of polypropylene/natural fiber composites comparison of wood fiber and cotton fiber. Polym Test 27 801-806... 

R R. Jones, Handbook of polymer-fiber composites. New York Langman, 1994, p. 78. A. K. Bledzki and O. Faruk, Effects of the chemical foaming agents, injection parameters, and melt-flow index on the microstructure and mechanical properties of micro-cellular injection-molded wood-fiber/polypropylene composites. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 97,1090-1096 (2005). 

There are plenty of examples in the literature where plant-based fibers have been used for reinforcing or filling non-degradable resins such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), nylons, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), epoxies and polyurethanes (PU), etc. [6-15]. The bulk of plant-based fiber composites, however, are made using wood flour, a byproduct from saw mills, or wood fiber obtained from waste or used wood products, e.g. packaging pallets, old furniture, and construction wood scraps. These inexpensive... 

Graft copolymers of polypropylene (PP) and maleic anhydride have shown to be very effective additives for wood cellulose/PP composites [50]. Thus cellulose fibers have been surface modified with polypropylene-maleic anhydride copolymer. The modified fibers have been compounded with polypropylene [51]. 

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