Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.124, No.2, 1520-1528, 2012
Soybean and linseed oil-based composites reinforced with wood flour and wood fibers
Composites consisting of a conjugated linseed or soybean oil-based thermoset reinforced with wood flour and wood fibers have been prepared by free radical polymerization. The thermoset resin consists of a copolymer of conjugated linseed oil (CLO) or conjugated soybean oil (CSO), n-butyl methacrylate (BMA), divinylbenzene (DVB), and maleic anhydride (MA). The composites were cured at 180 degrees C and 600 psi and postcured for 2 h at 200 degrees C under atmospheric pressure. The effect of varying filler load, time of cure, filler particle size, origin of the fillers, and resin composition has been assessed by means of tensile tests, DMA, TGA, Soxhlet extraction followed by H-1-NMR spectroscopic analysis of the extracts, and DSC. The best processing conditions have been established for the pine wood flour composites. It has been observed that the addition of MA to the resin composition improves the filler-resin interaction. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Keywords:composites;copolymerization;mechanical properties;conjugated vegetable oil;wood flour;wood fibers