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The effect of carbon fibers, glass fibers and nanoclay on wood flour-polypropylene composite properties

Der Einfluss von Karbonfasern, Glasfasern und Nanoton auf die Eigenschaften von Holz-Polypropylen-Verbundwerkstoffen

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Abstract

This study investigates the influence of different types of reinforcing fillers on the mechanical properties and wettability of wood–plastic composite material. Micro-sized glass fibers (GF) and carbon fibers (CF) and nano-sized montmorillonite (MMT) were used to reinforce a polypropylene/wood flour composite. Clear improvement of the tensile strength and modulus, up to 20 and 29 %, respectively, was observed when GF was loaded; the impact strength was reduced by 7 %; the hardness of the composite was improved by up to 7 %. No significant change in the tensile strength was observed after the CF loading; the tensile modulus was improved by 18 %; the impact strength of the composite was reduced and hardness was improved by 19 and 7 %, respectively. The MMT enhanced the tensile modulus by 34 %; the other studied mechanical properties, tensile and impact strengths, as well as the hardness of the composite decreased by 12, 32 and 15 %, respectively. The water absorption level decreased with all three filler type loadings. The morphology of the composites was examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Zusammenfassung

In dieser Studie wird der Einfluss verschiedener Arten von Verstärkerfüllstoffen auf die mechanischen Eigenschaften und die Benetzbarkeit von Holz-Kunststoff-Verbundwerkstoffen (WPC) untersucht. Zur Verstärkung eines Polypropylen (PP)/Holzmehl (WF)-Verbundwerkstoffs wurden mikroskalige Glas- (GF) und Karbonfasern (CF) sowie nanoskaliger Montmorillonit (MMT) verwendet. Bei Zugabe von Glasfasern konnte eine deutliche Verbesserung der Zugfestigkeit und des Elastizitätsmoduls um bis zu 20 bzw. 29 % verzeichnet werden. Die Schlagfestigkeit ging um 7 % zurück und die Härte verbesserte sich um 7 %. Nach Zugabe von Karbonfasern war keine signifikante Änderung der Zugfestigkeit zu verzeichnen. Der Elastizitätsmodul verbesserte sich um 18 %, die Schlagfestigkeit ging um 19 % zurück und die Härte verbesserte sich um 7 %. Durch Zugabe von Montmorillonit verbesserte sich der Elastizitätsmodul um 34 %, die Zugfestigkeit ging um 12 %, die Schlagfestigkeit um 32 % und die Härte um 15 % zurück. Die Wasseraufnahme nahm bei allen drei Füllstoffen ab. Die Morphologie der Verbundwerkstoffe wurde mittels Rasterelektronenmikroskop (SEM) untersucht.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, Lappeenranta, Finland

    Irina Turku & Timo Kärki

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  1. Irina Turku
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  2. Timo Kärki
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Correspondence to Irina Turku.

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Turku, I., Kärki, T. The effect of carbon fibers, glass fibers and nanoclay on wood flour-polypropylene composite properties. Eur. J. Wood Prod. 72, 73–79 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-013-0754-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-013-0754-8

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