Study on the deformation mechanism of metal oxide reinforced wood plastic composites
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Wood plastic composites (WPCs) have attracted attention as alternatives to natural wood and polymer products due to environmental and economic advantages. In this study, WPCs were prepared from high density polyethylene and poplar wood flour (10, 20 & 30 wt.%) and the deformation mechanism was studied. FTIR analysis revealed that the bonding between the polyethylene and wood is physical. Compression tests showed that samples containing 10 wt.% wood had the highest elastic modulus of 588.35±128.32 MPa, yield stress of 29.00±5.05 MPa and strain at yield of 4.93±1.73%. An increase in wood content to 20 and 30 wt.% decreased the elastic modulus, yield stress and strain. Scanning electron micrographs confirmed that the failure was ductile and dominated by void coalescence around wood particles. Furthermore, zinc oxide (0, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 5 wt.%), copper oxide (0, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 5 wt.%) and silicon oxide (0, 1, 2 and 5 wt.%) were added in a total constant weight percent of 5 wt.% to WPC containing 10 wt.% wood. Results showed that the addition of all three oxides decreased the elastic modulus, yield stress and strain except for addition of 1wt.% SiO2 particles which slightly increased the elastic modulus. Also, the sample showed the lowest strain at yield. Highest yield was achieved for samples with 2.5 wt.%zinc oxide/ 2.5 wt.% copper oxide. These effects were explained by the tendency of silica particles to agglomerate and the tendency of copper and zinc oxides to accumulate around silica nanoparticles.
Source: Results in Engineering
Authors: Zahra Hojatoleslami, Seyed Mojtaba Zebarjad, Sedigheh Pirsalami
Institution: Shiraz University
Language: English
Subfield: Polymers and Plastics
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,940
OpenAlex ID: W7083291923