Wood Fiber-Thermoplastic Fiber Composites by Turbulent Air Mixing Process(I) - Effects of Process Variables on the Physical Properties of Composites -

난기류 혼합법을 이용한 목섬유-열가소성 섬유 복합재에 관한 연구(I) - 공정변수가 복합재의 물리적 성질에 미치는 영향 -

Effects of process variables were evaluated in physical properties of the wood fiber-thermoplastic fiber composites using nonwoven web method. Turbulent air mixer using compressed air was employed to mix wood fiber with two types of thermoplastic polypropylene and nylon 6 fibers. The optimal hot press temperature and time were found to be $190^{\circ}C$ and 9 minutes in wood fiber-polypropylene fiber composite and to be $220^{\circ}C$ and 9 minutes in wood fiber-nylon 6 fiber composite. As the density of wood fiber-polypropylene fiber composite and wood fiber-nylon 6 fiber composite increased, the physical properties were improved The density appeared to be the most significant factor on physical properties in the statistical analysis. The composition ratio of polypropylene or nylon 6 fiber to wood fiber was considered not to be statistically significant factor. The thickness swelling decreased somewhat in wood fiber-polypropylene fiber composite and wood fiber-nylon 6 fiber composite as the content of synthetic fiber increased. As the increase of mat moisture content, dimensional stability was improved in wood fiber-polypropylene fiber composite but not in wood fiber-nylon 6 fiber composite.