Experimental Study on Effect of the Matrix Melt Flow Behavior on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Extruded Wood-HDPE Composites

The aim of this study was to understand the role of matrix melt flow index (MFI) on the physical and mechanical properties of wood-plastic composites (WPC) produced via extrusion process. Three grades of HDPE, having MFIs of 1, 7 and 20 gr/10min, named as LMFI, MMFI and HMFI, were used to produce rode shaped profiles WPC with 60 wt% wood content. The results obtained from bending test indicated higher strength for WPC produced with LMFI resin, whereas the results for those produced with the MMFI and HMFI resins showed approximately the same strength. Results also indicate low water absorption content for HMFI and LMFI composites. On the other hand, producing profiles with HMFI HDPE as polymeric matrix presents higher flow rate from processing point of view.

کلیدواژه ها:

wood-plastic composites (WPC) ، extrusion process ، melt flow index (MFI) ، HDPE