• Composites Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.170-174
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• 2013

Atmospheric glow plasma polymerization was applied to wood powder before fabricating polypropylene (PP) matrix composites. Seven different types of monomers (Oxygen, Benzene, CH4, Acrylic-acid, Hexafluoroethane, Trifluorotolune, Hexamethyl-disiloxane) were analyzed to determine the most suitable precursor for plasma polymerization. The surface energy was calculated from measured contact angle about each monomer on PP. Hexamethyl-disiloxane (HMDSO) had a highest surface energy and is selected as the most suitable monomer. Wood powder and polypropylene were mixed as pellets by twin screw extruder and then 50 wt% wood powder/PP composites were produced by an injection machine. Tensile strength and Flexural strength have improved by 7.59% and 12.43% at the maximum respectively. SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) observation on the fracture surface revealed that the plasma polymerization have improved the interfacial bonding and the mechanical properties of the composites.