Hd. Rozman et al., THE EFFECT OF LIGNIN AND SURFACE ACTIVATION ON THE MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF RUBBERWOOD-POLYPROPYLENE COMPOSITES, Journal of wood chemistry and technology, 18(4), 1998, pp. 471-490
Lignin was employed in rubberwood-polypropylene (RW-PP) composites to
serve as a bridging agent between polar wood filler and non-polar PP.
Incorporation of lignin in the composites was able to improve the flex
ural and tensile properties of the composites. SEM showed evidence of
improved adhesion as the result of the addition of lignin. Activation
of the wood surface with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) improved the flexural
and impact properties of the composites. The tensile modulus was impr
oved, especially at 5% lignin loading. However, no improvement was det
ected in the tensile strength.