Effect of filler composition and incorporation of additives on the mechanical properties of polypropylene composites with high loading lignocellulosic materials

Abstract

The mechanical properties of wood polymer composites consisting of polypropylene and mixed sawdust of meranti shorea spp. dominant and rice husk filler have been studied. Three different filler loadings of 50, 60, and 70 wt% were used and the process of compounding and extrusion was carried out using a twin-screw extruder. Increase in flexural modulus and tensile modulus are observed while tensile strength, elongation at break, flexural strength, and Izod impact decrease with increasing filler loading. Poor interaction between wood filler and the plastics is believed to be the main reason for the decreasing trend. Maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) was used in the formulation to improve the interfacial adhesion between the two components. Addition of the MAPP shows some improvement, particularly at 1%, and further increment of the MAPP did not show any significant impact on the properties tested.