Effect of Interfacial Modifiers on Physical Properties and Flammability Properties of PE/Wood Composites

The ternary-monomer graft copolymers of polyethylene (GPE) were used as interfacial modifiers for recycled polyethylene (rPE)/wood flour (WF) composites. How the interfacial modifiers and WF processing methods affected the mechanical properties, thermal stability and flammability properties of the composites were investigated. Results show that the steam-braising on WF could increase the mechanical properties of the composites. The interfacial modifiers were excellent compatilizers for the rPE/WF composites that significantly increased the mechanical properties of the composites. Wood flour acted as charring agent during the combustion of the composites to improve the flame retardancy of PE/wood flour composites. Due to the improved interface compatibility between rPE and WF by GPE, the rPE/WF composites maintained excellent mechanical properties and flame retardancy even at higher filler content.