Wood Treatments and Interfacial Bonding in Wood-Plastic Composites

This chapter presents an overview of different physical, chemical and biological methods used to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of wood and wood plastic composites. The physical methods addressed contemplate plasma, corona, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, ultrasound, heat treatments, fibre beating and electron radiation. The chemical methods discussed in this work were alkali, benzyl, acetyl, acryl, silane, permanganate, among others. Biological treatments, such as enzyme and fungal treatment were also reviewed. Methods used to impregnation and chemical modification of wood using sustainable reagents were also presented. The furfurylation of wood, the impregnation and polymerization of lactic acid directly in wood structure and the usage of citric acid are also discussed as natural compounds that can be used to promote wood chemical modification. The usage of coupling agents or compatibilizers from renewable and non-renewable sources and their impact on the thermo-mechanical properties of the wood-plastic composites will be discussed. Moreover, the chemistry and the mechanism of compatibility between the wood and polymer matrix will be properly evaluated.