Production of plastic wood nanocomposites using agricultural residues and urban polymer waste

Abstract

In this study, the strength properties of plastic wood nanocomposite produced using 5 levels of cellulosic residues (bagasse, corn stalk, rice straw, sunflower and canola stem), three levels of nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes, nano silica, nanoclay) and urban polymer wastes (PP polypropylene and HDPE, etc.) were investigated. In order to chemically bind the wood / polymer fiber composites, chemicals and reinforcement, coupling agent was used. Extruders and hot presses were used to fabricate the composites. The mechanical properties and bonding strength of the composites were measured using relavent DIN test methods. The results showed that the use of HDPE polymer wastes increased tensile strength, flexural modulus and impact resistance compared to polypropylene wastes. Regarding the use of agricultural residues in the production of wood-plastic composites, in general, the results have shown that the addition of agricultural residues in several types of plastic wood has significantly improved the bending and tensile properties. Among them, the bagasse has a significant advantage over other lignosullose materials. The use of polymer waste and agricultural residues and using nano-silica has shown the best results in strength properties. In general, the results have shown that the use of agricultural fiber residues as reinforcement in plastic woodcomposites improved the expected mechanical properties.

Keywords

• nano
• bagasse
• corn
• wheat
• flexural strength