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  • Essay / Research Summary: Use of Wood-Based Particles in...

    Successful use of wood-based particles and fibers as fillers or reinforcements in thermoplastic composites requires essential consideration of personalities structural and chemical characteristics of wood [1]. English and Falk provide a comprehensive overview of the factors that influence the properties of wood-plastic composites [2]. While several studies have revealed that fiber-polymer compatibility can be improved by selecting appropriate coupling agents [3,4], compatibility between polar wood fibers and non-polar thermoplastics remains essential to extend the functional limits of composites. results [5]. Another key factor repeatedly cited in natural fiber thermoplastic composites is thermal degradation [6]. Additionally, different wood species have different anatomical structures. These structural differences guide the use of these materials in WPC. For example, fiber dimensions, strength, unpredictability and structure are important considerations. Maldas et al. studied the result of wood species on the mechanical properties of wood/thermoplastic composites [7]. They reported that differences in morphology, density, and aspect ratios between wood species account for the different reinforcing properties of thermoplastic composites. Recently, Neagu et al. studied the stiffness of various wood fibers compared to composite materials. They observed a link between lignin content and longitudinal Young's modulus, and an optimal range of lignin content for maximum fiber stiffness was recorded for softwood Kraft fibers [8]. Several efforts have been made to link the properties of wood-based particles and fibers to the properties of WPC [9-11]. A high aspect ratio (length to width) is very essential in fiber reinforced composites, as it indicates the potential of the paper......the feeling that using a considerably larger amount in the WPC matrix would result in the formation of excellent mechanical properties, especially if the exfoliated microstructure could be achieved [17]. Indeed, even in the HDPE/nano-silicate matrix, significant changes in quality and performance were observed for 0.05 to 1% by weight of clay. In order to avoid the formation of a microstructure that is not positive for the uniform diffusion of nano-silicates in the WPC matrix (also known as intercalated structure), a compabiliser such as polyethylene maleate (PE-g -MAn) is used to increase cohesion between nano-clay, wood fiber and plastic borders [18]. Rather than using a different bonding agent for wood fiber/polymer and nano-silicate/polymer interfaces, using PE-g-MAn alone can reduce costs and simplify material formulation. [19].