We have studied the thermal stability of a new family of wood polymer composites (WPC) which use ... more We have studied the thermal stability of a new family of wood polymer composites (WPC) which use a thermoplastic elastomer matrix (pebax Ò copolymers). These copolymers are poly(ether-b-amide) thermoplastic elastomers which show a significant elongation at break and a melting point below 200 C which helps prevent degradation of wood fibres upon processing. Moreover these polymers present a hydrophilic character able to interact with wood fibres. Another important feature is that these polymers are synthesized from renewable sources. We have been using two types of pebax Ò matrices and two species of wood flour as fillers. Composites were made by using a laboratory-size twin-screw extruder to obtain homogeneous composite pellets prior to injection moulding into tensile test samples.
The aim of this investigation was to study a new family of wood polymer composites with thermopla... more The aim of this investigation was to study a new family of wood polymer composites with thermoplastic elastomer matrix (pebax Ò copolymers) instead of commonly used WPC matrices. These copolymers are polyether-b-amide thermoplastic elastomers which present an important elongation at break and a melting point below 200°C to prevent wood fibers degradation during processing. Moreover these polymers are synthesized from renewable resources and they present a hydrophilic character which allow them to interact with wood fibers. We have used two pebax Ò grade with different hardness and three types of wood fibers, so the influence of the matrix and wood fibers characteristics were evaluated. Composites were produced using a laboratory-size twin screw extruder to obtain composite pellets prior to injection moulding into tensile test samples. We have evaluated fibers/matrix interaction by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared spectroscopy (IRTF) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Then, the mechanical properties, through tensile test, were assessed. We also observed fibers dispersion into the matrix by tomography X. DSC, IRTF and SEM measurements confirmed the presence of strong interface interactions between polymer and wood. These interactions lead to good mechanical properties of the composites with a reinforcement effect of wood fibers due also to a good dispersion of fibers into the matrix without agglomerate.
We have studied the thermal stability of a new family of wood polymer composites (WPC) which use ... more We have studied the thermal stability of a new family of wood polymer composites (WPC) which use a thermoplastic elastomer matrix (pebax Ò copolymers). These copolymers are poly(ether-b-amide) thermoplastic elastomers which show a significant elongation at break and a melting point below 200 C which helps prevent degradation of wood fibres upon processing. Moreover these polymers present a hydrophilic character able to interact with wood fibres. Another important feature is that these polymers are synthesized from renewable sources. We have been using two types of pebax Ò matrices and two species of wood flour as fillers. Composites were made by using a laboratory-size twin-screw extruder to obtain homogeneous composite pellets prior to injection moulding into tensile test samples.
The aim of this investigation was to study a new family of wood polymer composites with thermopla... more The aim of this investigation was to study a new family of wood polymer composites with thermoplastic elastomer matrix (pebax Ò copolymers) instead of commonly used WPC matrices. These copolymers are polyether-b-amide thermoplastic elastomers which present an important elongation at break and a melting point below 200°C to prevent wood fibers degradation during processing. Moreover these polymers are synthesized from renewable resources and they present a hydrophilic character which allow them to interact with wood fibers. We have used two pebax Ò grade with different hardness and three types of wood fibers, so the influence of the matrix and wood fibers characteristics were evaluated. Composites were produced using a laboratory-size twin screw extruder to obtain composite pellets prior to injection moulding into tensile test samples. We have evaluated fibers/matrix interaction by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared spectroscopy (IRTF) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Then, the mechanical properties, through tensile test, were assessed. We also observed fibers dispersion into the matrix by tomography X. DSC, IRTF and SEM measurements confirmed the presence of strong interface interactions between polymer and wood. These interactions lead to good mechanical properties of the composites with a reinforcement effect of wood fibers due also to a good dispersion of fibers into the matrix without agglomerate.
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Papers by Fabien Sliwa