Mechanism of modified steel slag via multiple interface modifiers for durability of wood-plastic composites: Ultraviolet aging, water absorption, freeze-thaw cycles
Source abstract
Abstract
With increasing attention to resource recycling and environmental protection, enhancing the outdoor durability of wood–plastic composites (WPCs) while reducing the consumption of non-renewable mineral fillers has become increasingly important. Steel slag (SS), an industrial solid waste, was modified using stearic acid (SA) in combination with silane (KH), aluminate (AC), or titanate (TN) coupling agents, and then incorporated into WPCs as a partial substitute for talcum powder. The MSS effectively improved interfacial compatibility with the WPC matrix, promoting filler dispersion and enhancing the structural stability of WPCs under ultraviolet aging, water immersion and freeze–thaw cycling. Among the investigated formulations, WSTN50# exhibited the best overall durability. After 40 d of UV aging, its flexural-strength retention reached 105.41%, exceeding the 80% requirement specified in GB/T 24137-2009. Compared with W0#, WSTN50# showed reductions of 42.10%, 38.86%, 51.52% and 66.17% in color difference, carbonyl index, Cox/Cunox ratio and surface roughness, respectively. The superior durability was attributed to enhanced interfacial compatibility, a denser internal structure, the UV-shielding effect of Ti-containing groups, and the crack-filling effect of hydration products. This work provides a feasible strategy for the high-value utilization of steel slag in durable WPC applications.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites · Recycling and utilization of industrial and municipal waste in materials production · Materials Engineering and Processing
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
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