Composites of wood and trans-1,4-isoprene rubber I: Mechanical, physical, and flow behavior

The modification of trans-1.4-isoprene rubber (TIR) with maleic anhydride ( MAN) was conducted in a kneader at 150 degrees C, 30-70 rpm, for 10 min wit hout using peroxide. The resultant MAH-modified TIR (MTIR) was then evaluat ed as a compatibilizer for TIR-wood hour (WF) composites. A control composi te composed of TIR and WF only was also prepared. The presence of WF in the TIR-WF composite worsened the tensile and some physical properties. The ad dition of 5% MTIR as a compatibilizer to the whole composite improved the m echanical and the physical properties and increased the how temperature and the melt viscosity. The improved composite had a 2.5 times increase in ten sile strength and absorbed considerably less water than did the control com posite. The SEM micrograph proved that interaction and adhesion between TIR and WE could be improved by the MTIR compatibilizer. The composites of TIR -MTIR-WF melts were of pseudoplastic nature, and their flows obeyed the Ost wald de Waele power law equation.