This Article Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 0892705709096550v1 22/6/661    most recent References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Adhikary, K. B. Articles by Staiger, M. P. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Accelerated Ultraviolet Weathering of Recycled Polypropylene—Sawdust Composites

Department of Chemical and Processing Engineering, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand

Shusheng Pang

Department of Chemical and Processing Engineering, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand, shusheng.pang{at}canterbury.ac.nz

Mark P. Staiger

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand

Accelerated ultraviolet (UV) weathering of hot-press molded recycled polypropylene (rPP)—sawdust composites was investigated with combinative UV radiation and water spray testing to assess the durability performance. The water absorption and thickness swelling of the composites were increased after accelerated weathering. The surface of the composites underwent significant color changes (E) and lightening (L*) after weathering. The Young’s modulus and flexural strength were decreased after weathering. Microstructural observations revealed a decrease in interfacial bonding between the wood flour and polymer matrix with increased exposure to weathering. The crystallinity and melting temperature of the PP—wood flour composites were decreased while neat rPP showed a 6% increase in the crystallinity after weathering. The crystallinity of rPP in the control composites without maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) was slightly lower than for neat rPP, while MAPP-containing composites showed an increase in the crystallinity of rPP.

Key Words: wood-plastic composites • recycled polypropylene • UV weathering • differential scanning calorimetry • mechanical properties.

This version was published on November 1, 2009

Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, Vol. 22, No. 6, 661-679 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0892705709096550


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?