Influence of filler modification on physical and mechanical properties of wood plastic composite

The aim of current research was to investigate effect of chemical treatment of poplar fibers on physical and mechanical properties of wood plastic composite. The samples were made from acetylated poplar fibers with different weight percent gains (WPGs of 0, 14.7 and 19.5%), two levels of fiber consumption (30 and 40%) as well as two levels of MAPP (0 and 3%). The samples were physically and mechanically tested. Afterward, the results were analyzed based on a complete randomized design (CRD) under a factorial experiment. Results revealed that the acetylation causes reduction of water absorption and thickness swelling and also improvement of some mechanical properties. Moreover, the results showed that the utilization of MAPP increases physical and mechanical properties of wood plastic composite. The research results showed that increasing of fiber consumption from 30 to 40% enhances water absorption, thickness swelling, tensile strength, tensile modulus as well as bending modulus, and also causes reduction of bending strength and impact resistance.