Investigation on mechanical properties of composite made of sawdust and high density polyethylene

In this research, the effect of wood species and particle size on mechanicalproperties of wood plastic composites (WPC) made of fir (Abies alba) and beech(Fagus orientalis L.) sawdust and high density polyethylene (HDPE) wereinvestigated. Wood plastic composite (WPC) were made with 30% HDPE in abatch process at 185˚C, at two particle sizes of 40 mesh and 80 mesh. Maleicanhydride polypropylene (MAPP) was used as a coupling agent. The MOE(modulus of elasticity) and MOR (modulus of rupture), maximum tensile strengthincreased with increasing particle size.