Composites of wood and trans-1,4-isoprene rubber II: Processing conditionsfor production of the composites

The occurrence of grafting between WF and MTIR through esterification, the processing conditions for production of the composites, and the effect of M AH concentration on some physical and mechanical properties as well as the biodegradability of the composites have been studied. The FTIR measurement demonstrated that grafting through esterification had been attained between OH-groups of WF and acid anhydride groups of MTIR during kneading. The opt imum kneading conditions for preparing the composites were 120 degreesC, 30 similar to 90 rpm for 10 min. The tensile properties of the composites wit h WF based filler are greater than those with CS (corn starch) based filler . Addition of 10% of MTIR . 10 and 8% MAH prepared using the two-step and o ne-step process, respectively to the TIR-WF composites gave the best result of tensile properties. The presence of MAH in the TIR-WF composites also i mproved the dimensional stabilization of the resulting composites. The tens ile strengh of the composites prepared using the one-step Process was about 90% of the composite prepared using the two-step process. The composites o f TIR-WF with MTIR compatibilizer had slightly less resistance against subt erranean termite (C. formasanus), brown-rot fungus (T. palustris), and whit e-rot fungus (C. versicolor) and slightly more resistance against bacteria (Bacillus sp.), within the experimental conditioned adopted.