Study of eco-friendly additives for wood-plastics composites: a step toward a better environment

• Published in: Novel Applications in Polymers and Waste Management Vol. 1; pp. 309 - 319
• Main Authors: Puranik, S. A., desai, Dinesh, jain, Kintu
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: CRC Press 2018
• Edition: 1
• Subjects: WPCs; Natural Biodegradable Polymers; untreated palm kernel nut shell powder (UPKSP); poly-hydroxyl alkanoates (PHAs); Minimal Maintenance Requirements; wood-plastics composites (WPCs); Soy Protein; Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulphonate; Denture Stomatitis; MFI; Flexural Strength; Base Polymer Material; Injection Molding Process; UV Vis Spectroscopy; UV Stabilizer; MMT Nanocomposite; Gelatin Casein; Plastic Additives; DMFC; ASTM D6400; Raw Fly Ash; MMT; Improve Processing Conditions; treated palm kernel nut shell powder (TPKSP); melt flow index (MFI); Composite Ash; Wood Flour Content; Copolymer Composite; Green Composites
• ISBN: 9781771884754; 1771884754
• DOI: 10.1201/9781315365848-16

310The additives are generally the polymer materials with dispersed matrix without affecting significantly the molecular structure of the polymer to attend certain desirable properties. There are number of advantages in adding these additives in the wood-plastics composites (WPCs). The major advantages are shown here. One of such additives, that is, palm kernel nut shell (PKNS) powder was prepared. This being an eco-friendly additive can replace other inorganic additives including the base material (up to certain percentage). Addition of wood flour or such additives improves the mechanical properties of thermoplastics, but on the other hand, it increases the burning speed of the materials. Thus, to achieve good WPCs, additives are very critical and indispensible even though they are used at just small percentages, as they give WPCs sufficient stiffness, rigidity, and good stability against light and heat. Hence, a study is made to select such additives with right percentage, so as to provide the required properties. WPCs can be made with a variety of plastics and wood additives, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene. What’s more, WPCs are just one category of an emerging family of materials that can be termed “thermoplastic biocomposites.” Besides wood, these biocomposites can also utilize other natural fibers such as rice hulls, palm fiber waste, or flax. In this chapter, a study of physical and mechanical properties of polypropylene and untreated and treated PKNS powder composites is explained in detail. The result analysis and graph are prepared and discussed here. Wood-plastic composites (WPCs) are defined as composite materials that contain thermoplastics and wood in various forms. The average product contains about 50" wood in particulate form. To achieve good WPCs, additives are very critical and indispensible even though they are used at just small percentages, as they give WPCs sufficient stiffness, rigidity, and good stability against light and heat. The additives are generally the polymer materials with dispersed matrix without affecting significantly the molecular structure of the polymer to attend certain desirable properties. There are number of advantages in adding these additives in the wood-plastics composites. One of such additives is palm kernel nut shell (PKNS) powder. This chapter explains a study of physical and mechanical properties of polypropylene and untreated and treated PKNS powder composites. Two separate experimental set up were made and the samples were casted in specific specimen for the set of tests. The tests conducted were density, melt flow index, and flexural strength.