abstract
In this study, the effect of Eucalyptus globulus wood (UE) used as a filler (5-20% w/w) on the physical and thermal properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites was evaluated. To improve the compatibility with HDPE, the wood was modified (TE) using crude glycerol derived from biodiesel production. The addition of 20% (w/w) of UE or TE led to more rigid and durable composite materials compared to neat HDPE (about 50 or 100% increase in tensile strength, respectively). Composites also revealed 55-75 degrees C higher temperatures at maximal degradation rates. The advantageous behavior of TE over UE in composites was attributed to the improvement of surface morphology of modified wood and it is better compatibility with the HDPE as revealed by surface energy analysis. The changes in wetting behavior of HDPE and ensuing HDPE-TE composites (contact angles of ca 72 and 80 degrees, respectively) explain the matrix-filler interactions. (c) 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 137, 48619.
keywords
MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES; NATURAL FIBER; LIGNOCELLULOSIC FIBERS; THERMAL-PROPERTIES; CHEMICAL TREATMENT; FATTY-ACIDS; DENSITY; PERFORMANCE; BEHAVIOR; FILLER
subject category
Polymer Science
authors
Gama, N; Barros-Timmons, A; Ferreira, A; Evtuguin, D
our authors
Ana Margarida Madeira Viegas de Barros Timmons
Associate Professor
Artur Jorge Faria Ferreira
Professor Coordinator
Dmitry Evtyugin
Associate Professor with Aggregation
Nuno Vasco da Costa Gama Batista de Melo
Junior Researcheracknowledgements
This work was developed within the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, FCT Ref. UID/CTM/50011/2019, financed by national funds through the FCT/MCTES.