Long-term creep compliance of wood polymer composites: using untreated wood fibers as a filler in recycled and neat polypropylene matrix

M. Bek, A. Aulova, K. Pušnik Črešnar, S. Matkovič, M. Kalin, L. Slemenik Perše

Polymers 14 (2022) 2539 1-19

Abstract

Neat (NPP) and recycled (RPP) polypropylene matrix materials were used to prepare wood–polymer composites with untreated wood fibers up to 40 wt.%. Long-term creep properties obtained through the time-temperature superposition showed superior creep resistance of composites with NPP matrix. In part, this is attributed to their higher crystallinity and better interfacial adhesion caused by the formation of a transcrystalline layer. This difference resulted in up to 25% creep compliance reduction of composites with NPP matrix compared to composites with recycled (RPP) polypropylene matrix, which does not form a transcrystalline layer between the fibers and polymer matrix. Despite the overall inferior creep performance of composites with RPP matrix, from the 20 wt.% on, the creep compliance is comparable and even surpasses the creep performance of unfilled NPP matrix and can be a promising way to promote sustainability.

URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14132539

Keywords: wood–polymer composites, creep, durability, wood, recycling

Open access URL SLO: https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/IzpisGradiva.php?id=137942&lang=slv

Open access URL ENG: https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/IzpisGradiva.php?id=137942&lang=eng

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