Determination of technological properties of wood plastic nanocomposites produced by flat press reinforced with nano MgO

In this study, wood plastic nanocomposites (WPNC) reinforced with nano magnesium oxide (MgO) were produced in a flat press using the dry blending method. It is aimed to investigate the technological properties of the produced WPNC panels. To achieve this aim, scots pine wood flour, waste polypropylene (PP), maleic anhydride grafted PP (MAPP) and nano MgO were mixed and combined in eight different formulations by dry blending method. The densities, water absorption and thickness swelling, tensile strength, bending strength, modulus of elasticity (MOE), surface roughness and Shore D hardness properties of the obtained WPNC panels were determined. On the other hand, scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs were obtained to determine the morphological properties of WPNCs. Nano MgO and MAPP reinforcement positively affected the technological properties of flat-pressed WPNC panels. It was determined that increasing nano MgO ratio and MAPP reinforcement increased the water resistance of WPNC panels. It has been determined that the use of MAPP and nano MgO significantly improves the mechanical properties of WPNC panels. When the SEM micrographs of WPNC panels were examined, it was observed that large voids were formed especially in WPNC panels that without MAPP and nano MgO, and these voids were largely eliminated with the increase of MAPP reinforcement and nano MgO ratio. Following the technological results obtained within the scope of this study, it is recommended to conduct new studies to investigate the biological resistance of nano MgO reinforced WPNCs due to the known antibacterial, catalytic and photocatalytic properties of nano MgO.

Automated summary

Wood plastic nanocomposites (WPNC) reinforced with nano magnesium oxide (MgO) were produced using the dry blending method in a flat press. Technological properties of the produced WPNC panels were investigated, including density, water absorption, thickness swelling, tensile strength, bending strength, modulus of elasticity, surface roughness and Shore D hardness. The use of MAPP and nano MgO positively affected the water resistance and mechanical properties of WPNC panels. SEM micrographs showed that voids in WPNC panels were reduced with the increase of MAPP reinforcement and nano MgO ratio. Future studies are recommended to explore the biological resistance of nano MgO reinforced WPNCs due to its antibacterial, catalytic and photocatalytic properties.