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Mineral fillers for wood–plastic composites

2010; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 5; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/17480270903582189

1748-0280

Tiina Huuhilo, Ossi Martikka, Svetlana Butylina, Timo Kärki,

Polymer crystallization and properties

Abstract Five mineral fillers were tested for wood–plastic composites (WPCs): calcium carbonate, two different types of wollastonite, soapstone and talc. The impact of the fillers on the mechanical properties of the composites was studied. The experiments included bending tests, tensile tests, Brinell hardness and scanning electron microscopy experiments. The amount of wood, mineral and plastic (polypropylene) was kept steady. Only the mineral type was changed during the tests. A control sample without any mineral added was also manufactured. The mineral addition improved the tensile strength of the WPCs. The hardness of the composite was also improved when the minerals were added, and along with the increasing mineral hardness, the hardness of the composite increased. The wollastonite acicular shape was crushed during the manufacturing process, so the phase of the process in which the minerals are added requires careful consideration.