Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Liquefied Wood Polymer Composites (LWPC)

  • Hyun, Doh Geum (Laboratory of Functional Wooden Materials, Department of Forest Products, Korea Forest Research Institute) ;
  • Kang, In Aeh (Laboratory of Functional Wooden Materials, Department of Forest Products, Korea Forest Research Institute) ;
  • Lee, Sun Young (Laboratory of Functional Wooden Materials, Department of Forest Products, Korea Forest Research Institute) ;
  • Kong, Young To (Laboratory of Functional Wooden Materials, Department of Forest Products, Korea Forest Research Institute)
  • Received : 2004.07.02
  • Accepted : 2004.08.25
  • Published : 2004.11.25

Abstract

The influence of liquefied wood (LW) on the mechanical and thermal properties of liquefied wood-polymer composites (LWPC) was investigated in this study. The thermal behaviors of LWPC were characterized by means of thermogravimetric (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analyses. LW showed significant effects on the mechanical strength properties. The increase of flexural MOE and Young's modulus was related to the increase of stiffness of LWPC. The effect of LW was also significant on the flexural and tensile MOR. The impact strength decreased with the increase of LW application level. With the increased stress concentration by the poor bonding between LW and polymer, the impact strength of LWPC decreased, compared with that of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The thermal stability of LWPC decreased with the increase of LW content up to 40%. The melting temperature of HDPE decreased with the increase of LW loading level. Enthalpy of HDPE also decreased with the addition of LW. This study proves the thermal stability necessary for the consolidation of composition materials.

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