Effect of nanoclay (Montmorillonite) on the Physical - Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene / Wood flour Composites

Document Type : Research Paper

Abstract

Abstract
In this study, the effect of nanoparticles of clay on the mechanical and physical properties of wood plastic composite were studied. For this purpose, the weight ratio of 50% wood flour was mixed with 50% polypropylene and 0, 3 and 5 percent nanoclay based on polypropylene and 4% modified polypropylene with Maleic Anhydride based on polypropylene were used. First, the ingredients were mixed using the extruder and the final panels were then produced by hot pressing. Mechanical tests including tensile, bending and screw withdrawal strength and physical tests including thickness swelling and water absorption after 2 and 24 hours of immersion were performed. Results showed that with the increase of nanoclay by 3%, the mechanical properties of wood plastic composite increased and then decreased over nanoclay loading more than 3%. Besides, water absorption and thickness swelling decreased by incorporation of nanoclay to composites.
Key words: Wood plastic composite, nano clay, extruder, hot press, physical and mechanical properties.

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