Use of wood fibers in thermoplastic composites II: Polyethylene

Abstract

Abstract Wood fibers of aspen in the form of chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP) has been used as reinforcement in polyethylene (PE). The secant modulus, tensile strength, energy, and elongation at yield were measured. It was found that the mechanical properties of the composite were higher than those of PE by a factor of 2.6 for modulus, 2.3 for stress, and 2.1 for energy at yield. Compared to glass fiber composites, the CTMP composites showed higher elongation, about 100 percent higher energy, 106 percent higher stress, and 75 percent higher modulus. Note that the cost of treated wood fibers is several times lower than that of treated glass fibers.