Mechanical properties of woodflour unsaturated polyester composites

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 70; no. 11; pp. 2121 - 2131
• Main Authors: Marcovich, Norma E., Reboredo, María M., Aranguren, M. I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York John Wiley & Sons, Inc 12.12.1998; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; mathematical approach; mechanical properties; Polymer industry, paints, wood; surface treatment; Technology of polymers; vegetable fillers; woodflour composites; Ester polymer; Mechanical properties; Dispersion reinforced material; Organic anhydride; Experimental study; Fumarate polymer; Composite material; Surface treatment; Dynamic mechanical properties; Chemical treatment; Wood by product; Morphology; Basic medium; Unsaturated polymer; Filler; Modified material
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-4628(19981212)70:11<2121::AID-APP5>3.0.CO;2-Z

Agrowastes and woodflour are a potential and attractive alternative of cheap reinforcement for brittle polymeric materials because they can reduce costs and, at the same time, improve certain properties. On the other hand, their high moisture sorption and low microbial resistance are disadvantages that need to be considered and, as far as possible, corrected. Polyester resins are widely used throughout the world, and can be processed with reinforcing agents very easily. In this work, the effect of the addition of chemically modified woodflour on the final properties of unsaturated polyester composites was studied. The filler was treated with an alkaline solution to increase its interfacial area and then modified with maleic anhydride (MAN) under severe reaction conditions (140°C, 24 h). No improvement in the mechanical behavior of polyester–woodflour composites was found when particles were only alkali treated, while the composites prepared with MAN‐treated woodflour offered better performance under compressive loads. Simple mechanical models used to fit the experimental flexural behavior indicated that a good compatibility between filler and matrix was obtained regardless of the kind (treated or untreated) of reinforcement used. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 70: 2121–2131, 1998