The effect of nanoclay contents on properties of WPC made of MDF and particleboard wastes with recycled polyethylene and polypropylene

This research was carried out with aim of the effect of nano-clay (NC) content on mechanical, thermogravimetry (TG) and morphological properties of wood plastic composite (WPC) made of medium density fiberboard (MDF) and particleboard (PB) wastes and recycled polypropylene and polyethylene (HDPE). For this purpose, wastes of MDF and PB at 50 wt.% , recycled PP and HDPE at 50 wt.%, maleic anhydride grafted with polymers at a constant level of 3 wt.% and nanoclay at three different levels 3, 6, and 9 wt.% were blended by two-wire extruder. Afterward, standard test pieces were made using an injection molding machine and their mechanical properties and TGA were investigated. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was applied to investigate the quality of nanoclay particles dispersion in the matrice as well as how the lignocellulosic and polymers are bonded at the surface of bonding. The results showed that tensile and flexural strength and their modulus of HDPE and PB composite significantly were increased by adding NC up to 3 wt.%, but the strengths were dropped in WPC's by increasing of NC content at 6 and 9 wt.%. The notched impact strength of WPC has been totally decreased by NC addition that indicates more fracture surface on WPC's. SEM micrographs revealed that porosity and cavities in WPC's especially were decreased at 9 wt.% NC, whereas it is clear an inappropriate dispersion and aggregation of NC in WPC. The thermal stability of WPC's was slightly improved at 3 wt.% NC and the residual after combustion increased compared to the control.