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Abstract

Wood plastic composite (WPC) specimens were fabricated in shapes relevant to flute (musical instrument) production using African blackwood powder and phenolic resin in a hot compression molding setup. The roles of composition and processing parameters on the mechanical properties (flexural strength, elastic modulus, and impact failure energy) were systematically investigated. Cracks were observed in composites with more than 70% wood particles due to the formation of gas in the system during manufacturing, and lack of fluidity in the system to flush out entrapped air and the produced gases. Based on these results, the optimum temperature, pressure, and wood volume fraction for manufacturing WPC in the form of a flute is developed. A further series of experimental procedures were performed to improve the mechanical properties of WPC samples by studying the addition of short glass fibers to the molding compound prior to hot pressing. The results showed that the addition of short fiber did not improve the strength of WPC but rather reduced its strength compared to unreinforced composite. This was attributed to lack of bonding between the short fibers and composite matrix.

Keywords

wood plastic composites E-glass fibers mechanical properties

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Effect of processing variables and fiber reinforcement on the mechanical properties of wood plastic composites

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