Wood-Thermoplastic Composites from Wood Flour and High-Density Polyethylene

High-density polyethylene/wood flour (HDPE/W-F) composites were prepared by a twin-screw extruder. The effects of WF, silane coupling agents, polymer compatibilizers, and their content on the comprehensive properties of the WF/HDPE composites have been studied in detail, including the mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties and microstructure. The results showed that both silane coupling agents and polymer compatibilizers could improve the interfacial adhesion between WF and HDPE, and further improve the properties of WF/HDPE composites, especially with AX8900 as a compatibilizer giving higher impact strength, and with HDPE-g-MAH as a compatibilizer giving the best tensile and flexural properties. The resultant composite has higher strength (tensile strength = 51.03 MPa) and better heat deflection temperature (63.1 degrees C). (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 114: 1160-1168, 2009