Thermal and mechanical properties of treated and untreated Red Balau (Shorea dipterocarpaceae)/LDPE composites

Abstract

Red Balau saw dust was heat-treated at 180°C and 200°C for 1 h. Treated and untreated wood flour were compounded with LDPE at 9%, 20%, and 37% by weight and molded in an injection molding machine. Thermal and mechanical properties of the resultant composites were investigated as a function of filler loadings and treatment temperature. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed an increase in degradation peak temperature (T p) of the heat-treated wood and composites. DSC revealed a decreasing trend in the degree of crystallinity (X c) of the matrix when heat-treated wood was used as filler. On the other hand, untreated wood showed an increase in X c with increasing wood content. Tensile modulus increased with heat treatment and filler loading. Furthermore, flexural strength and modulus were found to increase with filler loading. © 2012 The Author(s).