Determination of nucleating ability ofwood for non-isothermal crystallisation of polypropylene

Composites made from an isotactic polypropylene matrix and wood (pine or beech) have been prepared and tested. To improve adhesion between components, the wood modification was performed by esterification with maleic, propionic, crotonic, succinic and phthalic anhydrides. The surface of wood fillers was also modified by chemical treatment with NaOH as well as by extraction process. Non-isothermal crystallisation of polypropylene in wood composites is studied by DSC, and the basic parameters of crystallisation are determined. We discovered that the composites containing chemical treated wood fillers showed the tendency reduction the nucleation efficiency of polypropylene. The ability of wood filler to induce nucleation in polypropylene matrix is dependent on the kind of chemical modification of surface wood.