Development of new generation coupling agents for wood-plastic composites
Development of new generation coupling agents for wood-plastic composites
- Intertech Conference The Global Outlook for Natural and Wood Fiber Composites New Orleans, LA, 2003 .
Advanced high performance coupling agents were developed for wood-plastic composite (WPC)applications. These new products utilize a proprietary composition and grafting process that provides superior performance compared to typical maleic anhydride grafted coupling agents. In this paper a series of polyethylene based coupling agents were tested for performance in WPC. First, the effect of coupling agents on enhancing the mechanical properties and in reducing water sorption of WPC was investigated in injection molding as well as profile extrusion processes. Second, the mechanism of coupling and the relationship to enhancement in performance was studied using several analytical techniques: small strain oscillatory rheology; dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA); scanning electron microscopy (SEM); Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR); and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The effect of lubricants on WPC performance was thoroughly evaluated. It was determined through molecular investigations that certain lubricants can have a detrimental effect on the performance of coupling agents. Recommendations on how to optimize WPC performance through the selection of proper formulation components are presented.
Advanced high performance coupling agents were developed for wood-plastic composite (WPC)applications. These new products utilize a proprietary composition and grafting process that provides superior performance compared to typical maleic anhydride grafted coupling agents. In this paper a series of polyethylene based coupling agents were tested for performance in WPC. First, the effect of coupling agents on enhancing the mechanical properties and in reducing water sorption of WPC was investigated in injection molding as well as profile extrusion processes. Second, the mechanism of coupling and the relationship to enhancement in performance was studied using several analytical techniques: small strain oscillatory rheology; dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA); scanning electron microscopy (SEM); Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR); and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The effect of lubricants on WPC performance was thoroughly evaluated. It was determined through molecular investigations that certain lubricants can have a detrimental effect on the performance of coupling agents. Recommendations on how to optimize WPC performance through the selection of proper formulation components are presented.