The effect of fiber content and mixing temperature on mechanical properties and FTIR spectroscopy in wood fiber/polymer composites

This study investigate the effects of production variables of melt-blending on wood fiber /polymer composites; A combination of 12 treatments for melt-blending were used.The effect of cellulose fiber content and mixing temperature were studied. Mechanical properties of the sample were analyzed using factorial experimental design with completely random and mean comparison test. FTIR spectroscopy is used to investigate the bond formation mechanism which influence on the mechanical properties.The results of FTIR spectroscopy shows that carbonyl stretch peak occurs at1688-1755 Cm-1 and anhydride exhibits a characteristics doublet due to carbonylstretch of coupling agents. This phenomenon improved the mechanical properties of wood fiber/polymer composites.The utilization of lignocellulosic materials changes the properties of composites. Addition of 10 to 40% fibers to the plastics in melt-blended resulted in a composite with higher modulus and tensile but lower impact energy and of elongation and MOR was increased up to 30%.The absorption bands at 1704-1725 Cm-1 (carbonyl stretch) were influenced after heat treatment of copolymer at 190°c.The major factors that govern the properties of the study are fibers type strong interfacial interactions such as covalent and hydrogen bonds. Initiators radicals, which are formed across the interface between the two components account for the adhesion in the system.