Microwave Irradiation Treatment of Wood Flour and Its Application in PVC-Wood Flour Composites

The technique of microwave irradiation induced free radical bulk- polyaddition reactions in porous wood flour was used to modify wood flour. The behaviors of the modified wood flour under microwave irradiation, such as thermal stability and moisture sorption properties, were studied. A kind of semiinterpenetrating polymer network wood four （Semi-IPN-WF） can be formed through polymerization of MMA in the porous wood flour by microwave irradiation, and the thermal decomposition temperature of the semi-IPN-WF is considerably increased. PVC/Semi-IPN-WF composites were prepared by melt mixing in double rolls, which exhibit improved rheological properties, lower water sorption properties and outstanding mechanical performances.

Effects of two modification methods on the mechanical properties of wood flour/recycled plastic blends composites: addition of thermoplastic elastomer SEBS-g-MAH and in-situ grafting MAH

The effect of maleic anhydride grafted styrene-ethylene- buty-lene-styrene block copolymer （SEBS-g-MAH） and in-situ grafting MAH on mechanical, dynamic mechanical properties of wood flour/recycled plastic blends composites was investigated. Recycled plastic polypro-pylene （PP）, high-density polyethylene （HDPE） and polystyrene （PS）, were mixed with wood flour in a high speed blender and then extruded by a twin/single screw tandem extruder system to form wood flour/recycled plastic blends composites. Results show that the impact properties of the composites were improved more significantly by using SEBS-g-MAH compatibilizer than by using the mixtures of MAH and DCP via reactive blending in situ. However, contrary results were ob-served on the tensile and flexural properties of the corresponding com-posites. In General, the mechanical properties of composites made from recycled plastic blends were inferior to those made from virgin plastic blends, especially in elongation break. The morphological study verified that the interfacial adhesion or the compatibility of plastic blends with wood flour was improved by adding SEBS-g-MAH or in-situ grafting MAH. A better interfacial bonding between PP, HDPE, PS and wood flour was obtained by in-situ grafting MAH than the addition of SEBS-g-MAH. In-situ grafting MAH can be considered as a potential way of increasing the interfacial compatibility between plastic blends and wood flour. The storage modulus and damping factor of composites were also characterized through dynamic mechanical analysis （DMA）.

Reinforcing effects of modified Kevlar~ fiber on the mechanical properties of wood-flour/polypropylene composites

Kevlar fiber （KF） is a synthesized product with strong mechanical properties. We used KF as a reinforcement to improve the mechanical properties of wood-flour/polypropylene （WF/PP） composites. KF was pretreated with NaOH to improve its compatibility with the thermoplastic matrix. Maleated polypropylene （MAPP） was used as a coupling agent to improve the interfacial adhesion between KF, WF, and PP. Incorporation of KF improved the mechanical properties of WF/PP composites. Treatment of KF with NaOH resulted in further improvement in mechanical strength. Addition of 3% MAPP and 2% hydrolyzed KF （HKF） led to an increment of 93.8% in unnotched impact strength, 17.7% in notched impact strength, 86.8% in flexure strength, 50.8% in flexure modulus, and 94.1% in tensile strength compared to traditional WF/PP composites. Scanning electron microscopy of the cryo-fractured section of WF/PP showed that the HKF surface was rougher than the virgin KF, and the KF was randomly distributed in the composites, which might cause a mechanical interlocking between KF and polypropylene molecules in the composites.

Creep Behaviour of Wood Flour/Poly(vinyl chloride) Composites

The experimental creep data were focused on wood-flour （WF）/poly vinyl chloride （PVC） composites with the variations in additive concentrations of wood flour, silane coupling agent, organomodified montmorillonite （OMMT） and nano-cacium carbonate （nano-CaCO3）. Their effects were analyzed using the Four-element Burger Model incorporating microscopic mechanisms. Total creep strain was low with increasing WF while elastic strain was high and plastic flow strain was low in modeling. Modification of WF with silane was beneficial to creep resistance, so did adding low ratio of OMMT （1.5 wt%） and nano-CaCO3 in composites. Thus, it was effective in reducing creep either by stiffening the PVC matrix using rigid nano-particles or by improving their adhesion with resin. However, superfluous quantity of any additament did not benefit the improvement owing to either earlier destruction of their agglomerates or stress-concentrated cracks in the over-incrassated interface.

Effect of fly ash content and grit size on mechanical and tribological properties of PVC composites

The polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composites containing fly ash of various grit sizes and contents were prepared by hot pressing. The hardness, impact strength of the composites were measured, and their friction and wear properties under dry and water lubrication sliding against quenched AISI-1045 steel were evaluated on an MM-200 tester. The fractograph of impact specimens, worn surfaces of the composites and their transfer films on the counterpart steel surfaces were observed with a scanning electron microscope and an optical microscope. Experimental results show that the composites containing 50% 74147μm fly ash have the highest hardness, highest impact strength and smallest wear rate. The wear rate of the composite is reduced by over two orders of magnitude. However, the composite containing over 50% fly ash has decreased wear-resistance, which is attributed to the weakened interaction between the filler and the polymer matrix in the presence of inadequate polymer matrix. The improved wear-resistance of the composite under dry sliding against the steel is attributed to the formation of the composite transfer film thereon.

Preliminary study of viscoelastic properties of MAPP-modified wood flour/polypropylene composites

Viscoelastic properties of maleated polypropylene （MAPP）-modified wood flour/polypropylene composites （WPC） were investigated by both a compression stress relaxation method and dynamic mechanical analyses （DMA）. Three wood to polymer ratios （40：60, 60：40, and 80：20） and five MAPP loading levels （0, 1, 2, 4 and 8%） were used to study their effects on the viscoelastic prop- erties of MAPP-WPC. The results show that： 1） higher wood to polymer ratio corresponds to higher stress relaxation levels for unmodified WPC. The modification with MAPP has an obvious effect on the stress relaxation of MAPP-WPC at higher wood to polymer ratios （60：40 and 80：20）, but almost no effect at the 40：60 wood to polymer ratio. The optimal MAPP loading level for the wood to polymer ratio of 60：40 appears at 1%; 2） the storage modulus reaches its maximum at a MAPP loading level of 1% for wood to polymer ratios of 40：60 and 60：40, while for the 80：20 wood to polymer ratio, a higher storage modulus is observed at higher MAPP loading levels, which is quite consistent with the stress relaxation results. The results suggested that a suitable loading level of MAPP has a positive effect on the viscoelastic properties of WPC at higher wood to polymer ratios. Excessive MAPP loading would have resulted in adverse effects.

Mechanical Properties and Dimensional Stability of Rigid PVC Foam Composites Filled with High Aspect Ratio Phlogopite Mica

High aspect ratio Phlogopite mica was used to enhance the dimensional stability and mechanical properties of extruded rigid Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) foam. Mica was added to rigid PVC compound at different concentrations (0 - 20 wt%) and processed using a single screw profile extruder. PVC foam-Mica composites were characterized for their dimensional stability, and structural, thermal, and mechanical properties. Experimental results showed that the dimensional stability increased by 44% and heat resistance of the samples improved as the amount of mica increased in the composites. The storage modulus and tensile strength of the composites were also enhanced with the addition of mica. However, increasing the concentration of mica had no significant effect on the impact and flexural properties of the composites. SEM micrographs show good dispersion and orientation of the mica flakes along the cell walls of the PVC foam. Overall, the platy structure and physical properties of mica seemed to have played an important role in providing good interfacial bonding with the cell membranes of the foam, thus enhancing the dimensional stability of the PVC- Mica foam composites.

Dielectric properties of Simon poplar wood flour/polypropylene composite at oven-dry state

Interfacial compatibility is a crucial factor to the performance of wood-plastic composites （WPCs）. Yet, so far, the coupling mechanisms of WPC have not been completely understood. In order to further clarify the interfacial coupling mechanism, the dielectric constant and dielectric loss factor of Simon poplar wood flour/polypropylene composites without additives at different wood contents were measured at oven-dry state, and parameters and thermodynamic quantities of the relaxation process were also analyzed and calculated. Consequently, an obvious relaxation process based on the reorientation of methanol groups in amorphous region of wood cell wall was observed exactly that its dielectric loss factor peak decreased with the decreasing wood content within the measured range of 50%-100%. With the trend of dielectric relaxation strength, the two changing trends both revealed that the existence of polypropylene could hinder reorientation of methanol groups. Following the decreasing wood contents, the effect of the hindrance on the dielectric properties turned obvious gradually. It elucidated that introduction of polypropylene caused the quantities of hydrogen bonds formed between each methanol group and the groups around it change. The same conclusion could be drawn from the analysis of thermodynamic quantities during the dielectric relaxation progress.

Proximate, Chemical and Functional Properties of Wheat, Soy and Moringa Leaf Composite Flours

The study presents the effect of utilizing wheat, soy and moringa leaf flour and quality analysis of the flour. The composite flour was prepared using refined wheat flour, soy flour and moringa leaf flour. Four composite flour, compositions were formulated such as 100% wheat flour (control) designated as sample A. Sample B consisted of 75% wheat, 20% soybean and 5% moringa leaf. Sample C consisted of 70% wheat, 20% soybean and 10% moringa leaf. Sample D was 65% wheat, 20% soybean and 15% moringa leaf. Sample E was 60% wheat, 20% soybean and 20% moringa leaf, respectively. Proximate, chemical, and functional properties of wheat, soy and moringa leaf flours were studied in composite flour variation and preparations. The present study highlighted the nutrients enrichment of flour on incorporation of soy and moringa leaf. Relevant statistical tests were done to analyse the significance of means for all tested parameters. Composite flour composition with 20% soybean was identified to produce optimal nutrient, mineral quality and yield. The addition of soybean and moringa flour in baked products has been shown in this study to improve the nutrition and health benefits of the body. It also serves as a good cut on the cost of wheat importation in communities with supply challenges.

Mechanical properties of wood flour/recycled-thermoplastic-blends composites

The mechanical properties of composites prepared from wood flour and thermoplastic blends were investigated. Thermoplastic mixtures of polypropylene (PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polystyrene (PS), virgin or recycled, were mixed with wood flour in a high speed blender and then extruded by a specially designed twin/single screw extruder system to form wood-flour/thermoplastic-blends composites (WTBCs). Comparative studies were made to evaluate the effectiveness of the two modification methods of the thermoplastic blends, the one of the addition of maleic anhydride grafted styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS-g-MAH) as compatibilizer and the other of blend grafting of maleic anhydride (MAH) using dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as initiator by reactive extrusion. The results showed that the impact properties of WTBCs using SEBS-g-MAH as compatilizer were better improved than that of the blend grafting. However, adverse results were observed on the tensile and flexural properties of the corresponding WTBCs. The mechanical properties of WTBCs prepared from recycled plastic blends were poorer to some extent than that from virgin plastic blends in general, especially in elongation break. The morphology of WTBCs breaking section was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the results showed that a good interfacial adhesion between wood flour and polymer matrix was observed with both of the two modification methods. However, by blend grafting of adding DCP as initiator and MAH as monomer, a better interfacial bonding between wood and plastic matrix was obtained than that of the addition of SEBS-g-MAH. Blend grafting can be considered as a potential way of increasing the interfacial compatibility of different plastics and between plastic blends and wood.

Dynamic-mechanical analysis and SEM morphology of wood flour/polypropylene composites

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of compatibilizers, including Maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene （MA-PP） and maleic anhydride grafted ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer （MA-EPDM）, on wood-flour/polypropylene （WF/PP） composites. WF/PP composites were prepared by direct extrusion profiles using a twin-screw/single-screw extruder system. DMA analysis showed that the loss factor of composites decreased and the storage modulus improved in the presence of MA-PP, which indicated much better interfacial adhesion between the PP matrix and wood flour filler than in the absence of compatibilizer. Morphological feature based on SEM observation showed that MA-PP and MA-EPDM improved the dispersion of the wood particles in the plastic matrix. MA-EPDM is a soft segment, although it improved the interfacial adhesion, storage modulus decreases with adding of MA-EPDM. As compatibilizer of wood-flour/polypropylene composites, both DMA analysis and SEM feature proved that MA-PP was superior to MA-EPDM.

Characterization of PZT/PVC Composites Added with Carbon Black

A new three-phase PZT C/PVC composite comprising PZT（50 vol%）,nanocrystalline PVC （50 vol%） and a small volume fraction f of black（C0was prepared by the hot-pressing technique.The dielectric property of the composite as α function of the frequency and the dielectric and piezoelectric properties as α function of the volume fraction f of C were studied.The measured dielectric property demonstrates that α percolation transition occurs in the three-phase composites as in normal two-phase metal-insulator continuum media.The dielectric constant varies slightly with f at f〈0.1 and increases rapidly when f is close to the percolation threshold at 1kHz.The optimum properties were obtained for f=0.5 before the percolation threshold in the PZT/C/PVC（50/f/（50-f）vol%）composite with its d33（20pC/N） being 50% higher than that of the PZT/PVC（50/50vol%）,and its g33（47.23×10^-3Vm/N）and Kp（0.25） much higher than the earlier reported values,XRD patterns and P-E hysteresis loops were used to interpret the experimental results.

Quality and Storage Characteristics of Hot Press Tortilla Prepared from Yam-Wheat Composite Flour

Mixtures of refined wheat flour (RWF) with flours from different sources could impact the functional qualities and shelf life of wheat-based products. Storage stability is one of the most critical factors for tortilla quality. Tortillas made from yam (Dioscorea sp.) wheat composite flours were characterized. RWF was substituted with 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% of fermented yam flour-brown (FYF) and unfermented yam flour-white (UYF). Farinograph water absorptions of UYF-composite flours (65.5% - 77.1%) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than FYF-composite flour absorptions (60.5% - 61.5%). During storage, moisture contents of composite flour tortillas increased while the RWF-tortilla decreased. Tortilla from FYF-composite flour exhibited greater strength (3.1 N at day zero on average) compared to UYF-composite tortillas (2.1 N at day zero on average), while UYF-composite flour tortillas had good extensibility and rollability properties. The properties and composition type and ratios of flour blends affected tortilla quality during the storage period. The substitution of RWF with 15% or 20% UYF would be more suitable for making tortilla with improved properties compared to that of FYF.

Mica Filled PVC Composites: Performance Enhancement in Dielectric and Mechanical Properties with Treated/Untreated Mica of Different Particle Size and Different Concentration

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) of different grades is the second most commonly used polymer for fabrication of electric cables and wires after polyethylene. Cables of domestic and industrial use of various capacities are fabricated using different compounds of PVC. Mica is useful particulate filler extensively used to enhance the performance of many polymeric materials. It surface resistance and arc resistance improving its mechanical properties. In the present research work mica filled PVC composites of different concentrations were prepared using untreated and surface treated water ground mica of different particle size. Mica filled PVC composites were compounded for various compositions and test samples were prepared using compression moulding process. These samples were tested for electrical insulation and mechanical properties. The results shows enhancement in dielectric properties with improvement in Young’s modulus, stiffness, reduction in elongation at break and slight increase in shore D hardness of composites. Scanning electron microscopy was used to test the morphology of the samples which has shown proper distributions and adhesion of the filler mica in PVC matrix. There was some effect of surface treatment of mica on its mechanical and dielectric properties of the composite.

Production and Quality of Biscuits from Composite Flours

Biscuits were produced from bambara nut,cowpea and wheat flour blends.This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of varying the proportions of these flours on the nutritional quality and general acceptability of the biscuits.Five blends of composite flours were prepared by mixing wheat,bambara nut and cowpea(WBC)flours in the proportions:T1(90:5:5),T2(80:10:10),T3(70:15:15),T4(60:20:20),T5(50:25:25)and 100%whole wheat flour was used as the control(T0).Composite flours produced were subjected to functional and proximate analysis while the biscuits made from the flour blends were also subjected to sensory evaluation and proximate analysis.The use of composite flour for the production of biscuits from cowpea and bambara nut flours as supplement for the wheat flour has improved the nutritional contents of the biscuits with protein value being highest at mixing ratio T5.The functional properties of the biscuits showed some significant differences(p<0.05)when compared with whole wheat biscuits.The results showed that biscuits produced from T5 formulation with proximate composition of 11.87%moisture,2.90%ash,18.61%protein and 75.62%carbohydrate was selected as the best product.

Study on Water Resistance of Polydopamine Treatment Wood Flour/Polypropylene Composites

This paper aims to investigate the water absorption of wood flour/polypropylene composites and its effects on dimensional stability and crystallization properties. Wood-plastic composites (WPCs) makes using polydopamine modified wood flour (WF-D), virgin polypropylene, maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MA) and antioxidant, by using hot-pressing moulding. Water absorption (WA), thickness swelling (TS) and failure of flexural properties of the composites have studied for a range of immersion times. It is found that the WA and TS have increased with WF content and immersion time. The water absorption and thickness swelling of WPCs are 0.85% and 0.99%, respectively, after 8 days immersion. With the prolonging of immersion time, the impact strength, flexural strength and flexural modulus of WPCs increase first and then decrease. The impact strength decreases from 3.32 kJ/m2 to 2.94 kJ/m2, the retention rate is 88.55%;the flexural strength and flexural modulus by 68.58 Mpa and 3.92 Gpa, respectively. WPCs crystallization and thermal properties decrease slightly. Microstructures of the composites are examined to understand the mechanisms for the wood-plastic interaction which affects the water absorption and thickness swelling. Our work demonstrates that using polydopamine treatment wood flour for preparing WPCs can be an efficient way to improve the water resistance of WPCs.

The Potential of Silane Coated Calcium Carbonate on Mechanical Properties of Rigid PVC Composites for Pipe Manufacturing

The inclusion of CaCO3 and kaolin in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymer matrices greatly enhances the physical and mechanical properties of the composite. In this study, the effects of kaolin and surface treatment of CaCO3 and kaolin particles on the microstructure and mechanical properties of PVC composites filled with kaolin particles via melt blending method were studied by means of SEM, tensile, Charpy impact testing, and FTIR. Treated and untreated kao-lin particles were dispersed in matrices of PVC resin at different concentrations up to 30 wt percentage. The tensile strength, elastic modulus, strain to failure and morphology of the resulting composites were measured for various filler loadings. Uniform dispersion of the fillers into the matrix proved to be a critical factor. SEM images revealed that small sized particles were more agglomerated than micron-sized particles and the amount of agglomerates increased with increasing particle content. Silane treated Kaolin-CaCO3/PVC composites had superior tensile and impact strengths to untreated kaolin-CaCO3/PVC composites. The Young’s modulus of all composites increased with increasing particle content up to maximum at 10% filler loading followed by gradually decreasing as content increased.

Composite Flours-Characteristics of Wheat/Hemp and Wheat/Teff Models

Wheat/hemp and wheat/teff model composites were prepared as 90:10 and 80:20 w/w blends, using two different Czech commercial wheat flour samples (standards M, M1) and bright/dark forms of these non-traditional crops flour. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of alternative flour samples on the blend compositional profiles including dietary fibre content, on the technological quality described by modern Solvent Retention Capacity method and on laboratory baking test results. According to seeds composition, nutritional flour enrichment reached higher levels of protein (from approx. 13.0% about 30% vs. 6%) and fibre contents (from approx. 3.3% about 50% vs. 30%) in the case of hemp and teff samples. In terms of the SRC profile, the qualitatively better sample M was weakened by hemp flour additions, while somewhat worse sample M1 was improved by teff flour additions. Results from the baking test showed that the hemp composites were partly dependent on hemp flour form. Volumes of bread with bright hemp were diminished from 257 mL/100g up to 196 mL/100g, the products containing dark hemp increased up to 328 mL/100g. Teff-fortified bun volumes were evaluated in close range of 325 - 369 mL/100g against 381 mL/100g for standard M1. Sensorial score of wheat/hemp breads were worse owing to spicy taste and fatty aftertaste, while hay-like by-taste in wheat/teff bread could be tolerable of 10% in recipe.