POLYPROPYLENE-WOOD FIBER COMPOSITES - EFFECT OF TREATMENT AND MIXING CONDITIONS ON MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES

Polypropylene/wood fiber composites were prepared at three different t emperatures: 170 degrees C, 180 degrees C, and 190 degrees C. The surf ace of wood fibers was modified through the use of silane coupling age nts and/or coating with polypropylene or maleated polypropylene. The f iber coating was performed by propylene polymerization in the presence of wood fibers or by immersion in an o-dichlorobenzene polypropylene (or maleated polypropylene) solution. Tensile and three-point bending tests were performed in order to evaluate the adhesion between matrix and wood fibers. Evidence shows that 180 degrees C is the best mixing temperature, while the use of vinyl-tris (2-methoxy ethoxy) silane wit h or without maleated polypropylene coating is the best surface treatm ent. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.