Mechanical properties of composites made with wood fiber and recycled tirerubber

The compress molding process was used to manufacture wood fiber and recycle d tire rubber components. Diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) resin was appl ied as a binder. The effects of wood fiber to tire rubber ratio and MDI res in level on mechanical properties of the composites were studied. A two-fac tor factorial design was employed to structure the experiment and each fact or had four levels. Wood fiber to tire rubber ratios, based on ovendry weig ht, were 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and 100:0. The MDI levels, based on the total ovendry weight of wood fiber and tire rubber, were 5, 10, 15, and 20 perce nt. The impact strength of the composites was tested using the Izod-type te sting method. The bending strength (MOR), bending modulus (MOE), tensile st rength, Young's modulus, and internal bonding strength (IB) of dry and wet specimens were tested. Results illustrated that MDI resin can be used to su ccessfully consolidate the wood fibers and recycled tire rubber crumbs into composite panels. The impact strengths significantly improved with tire ru bber fraction in the composites. In general, MOR, MOE, tensile strengths an d modulus, and IB of dry and wet specimens were improved with the increase of wood fiber to tire rubber ratio and MDI level.