The effect of nanoclay particles and compatibilization of oxidized polypropylene in molten phase on the mechanical and physical properties of wood-plastic composite

The purpose of the research is to examine the effect of nanoclay particles and compatibilization of oxidized polypropylene in molten phase on the mechanical and physical properties of wood-plastic composite made from polypropylene and phragmites ausralis flour. For this purpose, polypropylene in molten phase was oxidized in the vicinity of air oxygen and 1-dodecanol alcohol for 2 hours. Then Phragmites ausralis flour with the weight ratio 50% and the polymer phase was mixed with the compatibilizer at two levels (0 and 3%) and nanoclay particles at three levels (0,2, 4%) in an internal mixer for 6 min under the temperature 165 . Finally, the test specimens were prepared by using the hot press with the dimensions 150×150×2 mm. The mechanical and physical properties including tensile and flexural modulus and strengths, Non-izod impact strength, long term water absorption and thickness swelling were examined according to ASTM standards. The results showed that the using oxidized polypropylene as compatibilizer improves all physical and mechanical properties of the composite. They also showed that increasing nanoclay particles, the physical and mechanical properties of the wood-plastic composite improve, except the Non-izod impact strength. The structural studies of composite and the way the nanoparticles are distributed using x-ray diffraction spectroscopy and SEM images showed that the distribution of nanoclay particles in polymer matrix is of the type of intercalated structures