Effects of Long-term Storage on the Mechanical Characteristics of Wood Plastic Composites Produced from Thermally Modified Wood Fibers

• Published in: Journal of thermoplastic composite materials Vol. 23; no. 6; pp. 845 - 853
• Main Authors: Follrich, J., Müller, U., Gindl, W., Mundigler, N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01-11-2010
• Subjects: Fibers; Humidity; Mechanical properties; Modulus of elasticity; Polymer matrix composites; Polypropylenes; Reinforcement; Tensile strength; Wood; wood plastic composites; long-term storage; thermal treatment; mechanical properties
• ISSN: 0892-7057; 1530-7980
• DOI: 10.1177/0892705710369042

In order to study possible changes in the mechanical properties of wood plastic composites produced from thermally modified wood fibers as reinforcement material (60%) and polypropylene (40%) after long-term storage under constant conditions, tensile and flexural specimens were tested in the years 2004 and 2009 after storage at 20°C and 65% humidity. Increased tensile strength, Young’s modulus (tensile test) as well as modulus of elasticity (flexural test) were observed for the long-term stored samples indicating a positive effect of the storage conditions on the mechanical properties of the samples.