Improving the Long-Term Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Short Natural Fiber Compounds by Using Alternative Matrices
Source abstract
Abstract
Wood plastic composites (WPCs) offer a means to reduce the carbon footprint by incorporating natural fibers to enhance the mechanical properties. However, there is limited information on the mechanical properties of these materials under hostile conditions. This study evaluated composites of polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polylactic acid (PLA) processed via extrusion and injection molding. Tests were conducted on tensile and flexural strength and modulus, heat deflection temperature (HDT), and creep analysis under varying relative humidity conditions (10% and 90%) and water immersion, followed by freeze—thaw cycles. The addition of fibers generally improved the mechanical properties but increased water absorption. HDT and creep were dependent on the crystallinity of the composites. PLA and PS demonstrated a superior overall performance, except for their impact properties, where PP was slightly better than PLA.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites · biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties · Polymer crystallization and properties
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Circular Plastics, Academy Tech & Design, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, Van Schaikweg 94, 7811 KL Emmen, The Netherlands
Macromolecular Chemistry and New Polymeric Materials, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 3, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
Funding
Greenwise Campus
References (100+)
Show source-provided references
1. The Plastic Ocean
2. Photopolymer Resins with Biobased Methacrylates Based on Soybean Oil for Stereolithography10.1021/acsapm.9b01143 ↗
3. Preparation of Thermoset Composites from Natural Fibres and Acrylate Modified Soybean Oil Resins10.1002/app.30773 ↗
4. New Biobased Epoxy Materials from Cardanol10.1002/ejlt.201300193 ↗
5. Synthesis, Spectral and Thermal Degradation Kinetics of the Epoxidized Resole Resin Derived from Cardanol10.1002/adv.21469 ↗
6. Chemo-Enzymatic Epoxidation of Sunflower Oil Methyl Esters10.1590/S0103-50532009000800013 ↗
7. The Development of Canola Oil Based Bio-resins10.1002/lite.201200167 ↗
8. Enzymatic Epoxidation of Corn Oil by Perstearic Acid10.1007/s11746-011-1820-1 ↗
9. Epoxidation of Cottonseed Oil by Aqueous Hydrogen Peroxide Catalysed by Liquid Inorganic Acids10.1016/j.biortech.2007.07.015 ↗
10. Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Acyl Derivatives from Jatropha Oil as Potential Lubricant Basestocks10.1021/jf501388d ↗
11. Studies on the Epoxidation of Mahua Oil (Madhumica Indica) by Hydrogen Peroxide10.1016/j.biortech.2005.07.004 ↗
12. Novel Biobased Epoxy Thermosets and Coatings from Poly(Limonene Carbonate) Oxide and Synthetic Hardeners10.1021/acssuschemeng.1c07665 ↗
13. Linalool-Epoxides in the Essential Oils from Freshly Plucked Tea-Leaves and Black Tea10.1080/00021369.1964.10858286 ↗
14. One-Step Twin-Screw Extrusion Process to Fibrillate Deep Eutectic Solvent-Treated Wood to Be Used in Wood Fiber-Polypropylene Composites10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c07750 ↗
15. Thakur, V.K., Thakur, M.K., and Kessler, M.R. (2017). Handbook of Composites from Renewable Materials, Design and Manufacturing, John Wiley & Sons.10.1002/9781119441632 ↗
16. Value-Added Utilization of Corncob Hydrolysis Residues: Preparation of Reinforced Wood-Plastic Composite with Highly Water Resistance and Decay Resistance10.1016/j.indcrop.2023.116497 ↗
17. Lignocellulosic Byproducts as Filler in Polypropylene: Comprehensive Study on the Effects of Compatibilization and Loading10.1002/app.37820 ↗
18. Effects of the Type of Processing on Thermal, Morphological and Acoustic Properties of Syntactic Foams10.1016/j.compositesb.2019.106933 ↗
19. Siracusa, V., and Blanco, I. (2020). Bio-Polyethylene (Bio-PE), Bio-Polypropylene (Bio-PP) and Bio-Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) (Bio-PET): Recent Developments in Bio-Based Polymers Analogous to Petroleum-Derived Ones for Packaging and Engineering Applications. Polymers, 12.10.3390/polym12081641 ↗
20. Preparation of Bio-Based Styrene Alternatives and Their Free Radical Polymerization10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2020.109534 ↗
21. Polyhydroxyalkanoates: Opening Doors for a Sustainable Future10.1038/am.2016.48 ↗
22. High-Strength Polylactic Acid (PLA) Biocomposites Reinforced by Epoxy-Modified Pine Fibers10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c03463 ↗
23. Short Term Flexural Creep Behavior of Wood-Fiber/Polypropylene Composites10.1002/pc.10111 ↗
24. Correlation between Physical Bonding and Mechanical Properties of Wood Plastic Composites: Part 1: Interaction of Chemical and Mechanical Treatments on Physical Properties10.1080/01694243.2019.1683325 ↗
25. Modification of Wood Flour/PLA Composites by Reactive Extrusion with Maleic Anhydride10.1002/app.43295 ↗
26. Chemical Modification of Polypropylene by Maleic Anhydride: Melt Grafting, Characterization and Mechanism
27. Influence of Organic Peroxide on the Performance of Maleic Anhydride Coated Cellulose Fiber-Filled Thermoplastic Composites10.1295/polymj.23.1163 ↗
28. Che, S., Qu, G., Wang, G., Hao, Y., Sun, J., and Ding, J. (2024). A Review of the Biomimetic Structural Design of Sandwich Composite Materials. Polymers, 16.10.3390/polym16202925 ↗
29. Graupner, N., and Müssig, J. (2024). A Bio-Inspired Approach to Improve the Toughness of Brittle Bast Fibre-Reinforced Composites Using Cellulose Acetate Foils. Biomimetics, 9.10.3390/biomimetics9030131 ↗
30. Barbinta-Patrascu, M.E., Bita, B., and Negut, I. (2024). From Nature to Technology: Exploring the Potential of Plant-Based Materials and Modified Plants in Biomimetics, Bionics, and Green Innovations. Biomimetics, 9.10.3390/biomimetics9070390 ↗
31. Foaming Behavior of Poly(Lactic Acid) With Different D-Isomer Content Based on Supercritical CO2-Induced Crystallization10.1177/0021955X20950242 ↗
32. Shear Piezoelectricity of Poly(L-lactide) Films Manufactured by Extrusion–Orientation: An Insight on Process–Structure–Property Relationships10.1021/acsapm.3c01419 ↗
33. Zhang, L., Lv, S., Sun, C., Wan, L., Tan, H., and Zhang, Y. (2017). Effect of MAH-g-PLA on the Properties of Wood Fiber/Polylactic Acid Composites. Polymers, 9.10.3390/polym9110591 ↗
34. The Effect of Size and Delignification on the Mechanical Properties of Polylactic Acid (PLA) Biocomposites Reinforced with Wood Fibres via Extrusion10.1039/D3SU00039G ↗
35. Influence of Different Treated Cellulose Fibers on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid)10.1021/acssuschemeng.5b01563 ↗
36. Study on Properties of Polylactic Acid/Lemongrass Fiber Biocomposites Prepared by Fused Deposition Modeling10.1002/pc.25879 ↗
37. (1996). Plastics—Injection Moulding of Test Specimens of Thermoplastic Materials (Standard No. ISO 294:1996).
38. (2008). Plastics—Standard Atmospheres for Conditioning and Testing (Standard No. ISO 291:2008).
39. (2012). Plastics—Determination of Tensile Properties—Part 2: Test Conditions for Moulding and Extrusion Plastics (Standard No. ISO 527-2:2012).
40. (2010). Plastics—Determination of Flexural Properties (Standard No. ISO 178:2010).
41. (2010). Plastics—Determination of Charpy Impact Properties—Part 1: Non-instrumented Impact Test (Standard No. ISO 179-1:2010).
42. (2013). Plastics—Determination of Apparent Distortion Temperature Under Load (HDT) and Vicat Softening Temperature—Part 1: HDT for Elected Types of Plastics (Standard No. ISO 75:2013).
43. (2012). Plastics—Methods for Determining the Density of Non-Cellular Plastics (Standard No. ISO 1183:2012).
44. (2008). Plastics—Determination of Water Absorption (Standard No. ISO 62:2008).
45. (2017). Plastics—Determination of the Vicat Softening Temperature—Part 1: Test Method (Standard No. ISO 899-1:2017).
46. (2003). Plastics—Determination of the Vicat Softening Temperature—Part 2: Apparatus (Standard No. ISO 899-2:2003).
47. Creep Behavior and Manufacturing Parameters of Wood Flour Filled Polypropylene Composites10.1016/j.compstruct.2003.12.007 ↗
48. Sasimowski, E., Majewski, Ł., and Grochowicz, M. (2020). Analysis of Selected Properties of Biocomposites Based on Polyethylene with a Natural Origin Filler. Materials, 13.10.3390/ma13184182 ↗
49. Effects of the Accelerated Freeze-Thaw Cycling on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Wood Flour-Recycled Thermoplastic Composites10.1002/pc.20782 ↗
50. Effect of Extrusion and Fused Filament Fabrication Processing Parameters of Recycled Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) on the Crystallinity and Mechanical Properties
51. Agaliotis, E.M., Ake-Concha, B.D., May-Pat, A., Morales-Arias, J.P., Bernal, C., Valadez-Gonzalez, A., Herrera-Franco, P.J., Proust, G., Koh-Dzul, J.F., and Carrillo, J.G. (2022). Tensile Behavior of 3D Printed Polylactic Acid (PLA) Based Composites Reinforced with Natural Fiber. Polymers, 14.10.3390/polym14193976 ↗
52. The Effect of Maleated Polylactic Acid (PLA) as an Interfacial Modifier in PLA-Talc Composites10.1002/app.32380 ↗
53. Effect of Processing Method on Surface and Weathering Characteristics of Wood-Flour/HDPE Composites10.1002/app.20529 ↗
54. Improving Lignocellulose Thermal Stability by Chemical Modification with Boric Acid for Incorporating into Polyamide10.1016/j.matdes.2020.108589 ↗
55. Changes in Colour and Mechanical Properties of Wood Polypropylene Composites on Natural Weathering
56. Considerations about the Role of Compatibilizer in Coir Fiber Polypropylene Composites Containing Different Stabilization Systems When Submitted to Artificial Weathering10.1007/s10570-020-03447-5 ↗
57. Development of a Biocomposite Based on Green Polyethylene Biopolymer and Eggshell10.1016/j.matdes.2014.12.027 ↗
58. Synergistic Effect of Coupling Agents and Fiber Treatments on Mechanical Properties and Moisture Absorption of Polypropylene-Rice Husk Composites and Their Foam10.1016/j.compositesa.2014.10.019 ↗
59. Polymer–Clay Nanocomposites: Exfoliation of Organophilic Montmorillonite Nanolayers in Polystyrene10.1016/S0032-3861(00)00385-2 ↗
60. Conversion of Plastic/Cellulose Waste into Composites. l. Model of the Lnterphase
61. Effect of Glass Fiber Hybridization on Properties of Sisal Fiber-Polypropylene Composites10.1016/j.compositesb.2009.04.007 ↗
62. Direct Spectroscopic Detection of Binding Formation by Kneading of Biomass Filler and Acid-Modified Resin10.1016/j.polymer.2017.08.007 ↗
63. Influence of Maleated Polystyrene on the Mechanical Properties of Bio-Based Fibers-Polystyrene Composites10.1007/s13196-012-0034-y ↗
64. Characterization of Composites Based on Expanded Polystyrene Wastes and Wood Flour10.1016/j.wasman.2010.10.027 ↗
65. Wood-Fiber Reinforcement of Styrene-Maleic Anhydride Copolymers10.1002/(SICI)1097-4628(19980606)68:10<1567::AID-APP4>3.0.CO;2-F ↗
66. Physical and Mechanical Properties of Wood Plastic Composites Polystyrene-White Oak Wood Flour10.1177/0021998312470149 ↗
67. Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Wood Flour-Polystyrene Blends from Postconsumer Plastic Waste10.1002/app.32638 ↗
68. Effect of Styrene Maleic Anhydride on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Recycled Polystyrene Wood Flour Composites
69. Effects of Wood Flour Addition and Coupling Agent Content on Mechanical Properties of Recycled Polystyrene/Wood Flour Composites10.1177/0892705711413627 ↗
70. A Review on Natural Fiber Composites: Polymer Matrices, Fiber Surface Treatments, Fabrication Methods, Properties, and Applications10.1002/pen.26713 ↗
71. Short Jute Fiber-Reinforced Polypropylene Composites: Effect of Compatibilizer10.1002/(SICI)1097-4628(19980711)69:2<329::AID-APP14>3.0.CO;2-R ↗
72. New Polymeric-Coupling Agent for Polypropylene/Wood-Flour Composites10.1016/j.polymertesting.2007.03.007 ↗
73. Thermoplastic Moulding of Wood-Polymer Composites (WPC): A Review on Physical and Mechanical Behaviour under Hot-Pressing Technique10.1016/j.compstruct.2021.113649 ↗
74. Production of Basalt/Wood Fiber Reinforced Polylactic Acid Hybrid Biocomposites and Investigation of Performance Features Including Insulation Properties10.1002/pc.26633 ↗
75. Mechanical Behavior of Agro-residue-reinforced Polypropylene Composites10.1002/app.29345 ↗
76. Tribological and Mechanical Fracture Performance of Mediterranean Lignocellulosic Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Composites10.1002/pc.26241 ↗
77. Evaluation of Dynamic Elastic Properties of Wood-filled Polypropylene Composites10.1002/app.24285 ↗
78. Untersuchung Der Rheologischen Und Mechanischen Eigenschaften von Holzmehlverstärktem Polypropylen10.1002/mawe.201600714 ↗
79. Wood Fiber Reinforced Polyethylene and Polypropylene Composites with High Modulus and Impact Strength10.1177/0892705708089472 ↗
80. Mechanical and Thermal Behavior Analysis of Wood–Polypropylene Composites10.1177/0040517520944246 ↗
81. Improved Thermomechanical and Rheological Properties of Polypropylene Composites with Thermomechanical Pulp for Injection Molding10.1002/pc.28667 ↗
82. Wood-Plastic Composites as Potential Applications of Recycled Plastics of Electronic Waste and Recycled Particleboard10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.02.036 ↗
83. Wood Plastic Composites Made from Post-Used Polystyrene Foam and Agricultural Waste10.1177/0892705718799836 ↗
84. Investigation of the Properties of Polystyrene-Based Wood Plastic Composites: Effects of the Flame Retardant Loading and Magnetic Fields10.1515/polyeng-2019-0079 ↗
85. The Morphology, Rheological, and Mechanical Properties of Wood Flour/Starch/Poly(Lactic Acid) Blends10.1002/app.44743 ↗
86. Glycidyl Methacrylate-Compatibilized Poly(Lactic Acid)/Hemp Hurd Biocomposites: Processing, Crystallization, and Thermo-Mechanical Response10.1016/j.jmst.2017.03.004 ↗
87. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calometric (DSC) Analysis of Pineapple Leaf Fibre (PALF) Reinforced High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) Composites
88. Effects of Alkali and Alkali/Silane Treatments of Corn Fibers on Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Its Composites with Polylactic Acid10.1002/pc.23549 ↗
89. Simultaneous Impact Modified and Chain Extended Glass Fiber Reinforced Poly(Lactic Acid) Composites: Mechanical, Thermal, Crystallization, and Dynamic Mechanical Performance10.1002/app.49752 ↗
90. Brounstein, Z., Yeager, C.M., and Labouriau, A. (2021). Development of Antimicrobial PLA Composites for Fused Filament Fabrication. Polymers, 13.10.3390/polym13040580 ↗
91. Modification of the Mechanical Behavior in the Glass Transition Region of Poly (Lactic Acid)(PLA) through Catalyzed Reactive Extrusion with Poly (Carbonate)(PC)
92. Characterisation of Natural Fibre Reinforced PLA Foams Prepared by Supercritical CO2 Assisted Extrusion10.3144/expresspolymlett.2016.71 ↗
93. Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Recycled Polystyrene Composites Reinforced with Wood Flour10.1002/app.36291 ↗
94. Li, H. (2021). Glass Transition Behavior of Wet Polymers. Materials, 14.10.3390/ma14040730 ↗
95. A Study of the Physical Aging in Semicrystalline Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) via Differential Scanning Calorimetry10.1021/ma000796m ↗
96. Mechanical Investigation of Confined Amorphous Phase in Semicrystalline Polymers: Case of PET and PLA10.1002/pen.23896 ↗
97. A Novel Approach to the Impact Modification of PLA10.1016/j.engfracmech.2022.108950 ↗
98. Improvement in Mechanical Properties of Grafted Polylactic Acid Composites Fibers via Hot Melt Extrusion10.1002/pc.22833 ↗
99. Lignocellulose Nanofiber/Polylactic Acid (LCNF/PLA) Composite with Internal Lignin for Enhanced Performance as 3D Printable Filament10.1016/j.indcrop.2022.114590 ↗
100. Novel Compatibilizers and Plasticizers Developed from Epoxidized and Maleinized Chia Oil in Composites Based on PLA and Chia Seed Flour10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2022.111289 ↗