Influence of Maleic Anhydride on the Flexural, Tensile and Impact Characteristics of Sawdust Flour Reinforced Polypropylene Composite

Interfacial strength between polymeric matrix and natural filler reinforcement has direct effects on the properties of wood plastic composites. There are some approaches to improve the interfacial adhesion between two phases in wood plastic composites. One of them is using coupling agents to improve the composite properties. In this study, the effect of maleic anhydride as a coupling agent on the mechanical properties of wood plastic composites was investigated. For this purpose, composite profiles consisting of polypropylene and sawdust flour at 50% weight ratios, with various amounts of coupling agent (0, 1 and 2%) were fabricated by melt compounding and then injection molding. Then, the mechanical properties such as tensile modulus and strength, flexural modulus and strength and impact strength were evaluated. Results indicated that the tensile, impact properties increased with increase of coupling agent. Also, in presence of maleic anhydride the mechanical properties of the wood plastic composites were improved. This project has shown that the composites treated with coupling agent will be desirable as building materials due to their improved matrix interface and strength properties.