The Efficiency of Cellulosic Fillers in Common Thermoplastics. Part II. Filling with Processing Aids and Coupling Agents

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
This paper reports on the effect of additives on the properties of injection moulded composites based on polypropylene (PP) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) filled with wood and cellulose flour. Three types of additives were studied: dispersion aids, elastomeric additives, and adhesion promoting agents. Some of the dispersion aids were found to improve the filler dispersion and the impact strength. The modulus remained relatively unaffected while the strength was lowered. The high molecular weight elastomeric additives increased the impact strength and ductility, while the stiffness was reduced. An adhesion promotor based on a maleic anhydride modified polypropylene was found to behave as a true coupling agent, i.e. the strength and ductility increased, the melt strength was improved, and also the hot water resistance was raised. The experimentally determined composite moduli are found to agree relatively well with theoretical predictions. The effect of processing on the shape and size of the filler particles is evaluated using automatic image analysis.