The impact of wood fiber surface modification on physical properties of wood-polymer composites

Abstract

In this paper, the impact of wood fiber surface modification on mechanical properties of poly-(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA)-wood composite was examined. FTIR analysis has shown that the wood fiber surface modification was accomplished and that the matrix-fiber bond was established. The SEM image of the breakage surface has affirmed the improved adhesion between the fibers and the polymer in the specimen with modified wood fibers. The bond improvement between the wood fibers and the matrix results in increased hardness and a better distribution of strain within the composite. High speed impact testing results have shown that the specimen with the bonding agent can increase the absorbed energy six times when compared to the pure PMMA specimen.

Keywords

• wood
• PMMA
• silane
• mechanical properties
• impact energy
• impact testing