Investigation Some of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene Fiber/ Wood /Cement Composites

In this study, some of the physical and mechanical properties of polypropylene fiber/ wood fiber/ cement composites were investigated. For this aim, three levels of polypropylene fiber, namely 2 wt.%, 3 wt.% and 4 wt.% were mixed with 15 wt.% of wood fiber mixed with cement in a rotary type mixer. The samples were formed by cold press method. Then water absorption, thickness swelling, flexural modulus, flexural strength, and impact strength of the manufactured composites were evaluated according to ASTM standard methods. The results showed that polypropylene fiber exhibited a positive effect on physical and mechanical properties of the wood- cement composites. The physical test results indicated that the hybrid composites containing 4% PP fiber/11% wood fiber exhibited the lowest water absorption and thickness swelling values. The mechanical test results also indicated that greater flexural strength and impact strength can be achieved by addition of 4% polypropylene fiber to wood- cement composites. Also the three point bending test results showed that addition of PP fiber from 2 to 4% decreased flexural modulus of the wood- cement composites, continuously.