The utilization of organic vermiculite to reinforce wood-plastic composites with higher flexural and tensile properties

In order to reinforce wood-plastic composites (WPC), organic vermiculite (O-VMT) was prepared by intercalating benzyl triphenyl phosphorus chloride (BTPPC) into vermiculite (VMT) and was used as reinforcing filler for WPC, so WPC/O-VMT composites were prepared. Characteristics, morphologies, water absorptions and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. The results showed that O-VMT had homogeneous dispersion and strong interfacial interaction in the WPC. The WPC/O-VMT composites, with performances improved by O-VMT, displayed lower water absorption properties and higher flexural and tensile properties, suggesting the great potential applications as WPC-based engineering materials. Crown Copyright (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.