Estimation of Physical, Mechanical, Morphological and Water Absorption Properties of Wood Flour Filled Polypropylene Composite

The main objective of this investigation was to evaluate physical, mechanical, morphological and water absorption properties of polypropylene filled with wood flour as filler. New materials based on wood have the advantage that their properties can be engineered so as to correspond to user demands. The properties which can be engineered are those relating both to their utilisation and machining, in particular - the tensile strength, elongation at break, modulus of elasticity and impact resistance. The composites with different wood flour content (10%, 15% and 20%) and polypropylene (PP) were mixed by twin screw extruder and then the composites were manufactured by injection moulding method. Based on the findings in this work, the water absorption and thickness swelling of the composites increased with increasing with amount of the wood flour. Furthermore, both flexural and tensile modulus increased, while both flexural and tensile strength decreased with increasing wood flour contents. Morphological examination is carried out on the fractured surfaces by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in order to investigate the variation of the measured mechanical properties, revealed presence of micro voids resulting from weak filler-matrix interfacial adhesion.