Effect of fiber content, size and type on board density and withdrawal strength of fasteners in natural fiber-plastic composites made through dry process

In this study, the effects of fiber content, type and size on board density and withdrawal strength of fasteners (nailed and screwed) in joints made in natural fibers-plastic composites produced through a dry process were investigated. Wood-plastic boards were made at a nominal density of 1 g/cm3 and dimensions of 30×20×1 cm. Polypropylene (PP) as the matrix and poplar wood fiber and rice straw fibers as the reinforcement were used together with 4% (based on weight) maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) as the coupling agent. Three levels of dry poplar and rice straw fibers, namely 45%, 60%, and 75% based on the composition by weight at two particle sizes of 20-40 mesh and 40-60 mesh were mixed with PP. Totally, 12 formulations with 3 replications were considered. The final composites were made by pressing the prepared mats between the hot plates of a compression press by employing combinations of temperature and pressure in three stages. After storing the composites at room temperature for 15 days, the density of the boards and withdrawal strength of fasteners were measured. The results showed that fiber content may significantly influence the density of the samples and the fiber size of 40–60 mesh may lead to a higher density. In addition, it was found that poplar fibers (the type of fiber) results in higher withdrawal strength of fastener in the composites than rice straw fibers. Furthermore, the withdrawal strength of fasteners was reduced as the fiber content was increased. However, this effect is dependent on fiber size and may be negligible at higher fiber contents.