Wood plastic composite

Wood-Plastic Composites (WPCs) consist of wood particles and a thermoplastic matrix such as PE, PP and PVC. Among the thermoplastics, low density polyethylene is more favorable in the processing because of its uses as a Corrosion-resistant work surfaces and for Parts that need to be weldable and flexibility. WPCs are nowadays categorized as ‘‘green materials’’ due to the possible usage of recycled materials in their compositions and also their ability to be recycled.. The current study aims at  producing an environmentally friendly artificial wood for structural application, by recycling mixed plastic waste and wood waste .Mixed wood waste collected from local Palestinian carpentry were sieved into different sizes and then dried. The wood waste was then mixed manually with plastic waste in sacks and then the mixture was fed into the single screw extruder to insure good mixing at melting stage. The extruded  WPC  composite  was  then  thermally  pressed  into  sheets  using  thermal  press machine. The effect of the particle size and concentration of the wood waste on the mechanical, thermal and melt flow properties was then determined..The melt flow index, water absorption, modulus of elasticity (tensile) of the WPC samples produced were determined, and the results were compared with the recycled low density polyethylene (LDPE).  The  developed  wood  plastic  composites  exhibited  lower  ultimate  strength  and higher modules of elasticity than LDPE; the modules of elasticity increases with increasing the wood particle size. The melt flow index of the (WPC) products was much less than the recycled LDPE. Water absorption tests showed that the WPC absorbs a maximum of approximately 20% water which much better than any commercial wooden products. The crystallinity of the WPC was lower than recycled LDPE and was decreased with increasing

the wood concentration.

Our project focuses on developing a product that combines the properties of wood and plastic' especially the rigidity ' , which in turn meets the needs of the market and reduces the presence of huge amount of wood and plastic wastes . we applied on it different testing procedures particularly related to: -Water absorption Test -Melting flow index (MFI) - Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) Test -Tensile strength test.

Plastic and wood wastes have been a main environmental concern. Plastic is the biggest Problem due to its high amount of waste generated, non biodegradability and the fastest Depletion of natural resources regarding its short life cycle, therefore increased amount of Material utilized in its production, and waste generated. The same applies to wood with lesser degree where it is depleting trees and forests and the wastes mainly are either burned or disposed; resulting in extra consumption, depletion, and pollution of nature.

Several Worldwide attempts have been adopted; especially in the developed countries, to take Advantage of these types of waste especially with the raised need for alternatives to virgin Materials. Wood plastic composite (WPC) is a product which could be obtained from plastic and wood.

WPC is a composite with a rapid growing usage consisting of a mixture of wood waste and polymeric material .Many trials of obtaining a WPC product were basically built on the concept of a Cradle to Cradle approach where the material is recycled at the end of its life cycle to produce a Cradle (new) product and thus close the loop and imitate the natural

ecosystem.

As a consequence, these minimize the solid waste content and conserve the natural resources. Therefore, costs, energy, and depletion of virgin materials are reduced. In addition, it assures the sustainability over the incoming years for future Generations' use.

WPC has become currently an important address of research that gained popularity over the last decade such as; Palm leave and plastic waste wood composite for out-door structures, by Mohammed A. Binhussain, Maher M. El-Tonsy [1] , Use of recycled plastics in wood plastic composites by SaeedKazemiNajafi[2], and The utilization of bamboo charcoal enhances wood  plastic  composites  with  excellent  mechanical  and  thermal  properties  by  Xiang Lia, Bingrong Leia, ZhidanLinb, LanghuanHuanga, ShaozaoTana[3].

This research focused on properties and advantages such as: High durability, Low maintenance, acceptable relative strength and stiffness, fewer prices Relative to other competing materials, and the fact that it is a natural resource.

Other  advantages  have  been  strength  points  including  the  resistance  in  opposition  to biological Deterioration especially for outdoor applications where untreated timber products are not Suitable, the high availability of fine particles of wood waste is a main point of attraction This guarantees sustainability, improved thermal and creep performance relative to Unfilled  plastics  where  It  can  be  produced  to  obtain  structural  building  applications Including: profiles, sheathings, decking, roof tiles, and window trims [4] .

On the other hand, WPCs are not nearly as stiff as solid wood; however, they are stiffer than unfilled plastics. In addition, they do not require special fasteners or design changes in Application as they perform like conventional wood [5].

As mentioned, the reasons for using WPC are many; however, there are other causes that

Enforced many countries to tend for using alternative sources to virgin materials. In addition

to the enforced environmental policies, the growth of environmental awareness led to a new orientation to use wasted natural materials for different applications and industries such as the automotive, packaging and construction industries [6].

1.1 Market potential

The awaiting market for WPC is huge due to the high production of plastics and wood this constitutes a significant amount of solid waste which is mostly disposed not recovered [6]. Approximately one-half of all industrial materials used in the United States are wood based; thus, the finding that the WPC market is increasing is not a surprise [7]. The growth of WPC decking in the U.S. has started from less than 1 % in mid-90's to over 10% today with growth projected by several studies to reach 20% before the end of 2010[8].

In India, Plastic in municipal solid waste makes up to 9–12% by weight of the total in addition to other wastes which may contain much higher proportions of plastics [9]. Some attempts for plastic recovery resulted during 2004 in a recovery of almost 8.25 million tons (39% of total amount of plastics consumed) in Western Europe; 35,000 tons (13.48% of total imported virgin plastics) in New Zealand [10].While in 2005, the United States recycled around 5.7% of the total plastics generated [11]. In Brazil, some potential in recycling have been raised where around 15% of all plastics consumed are recycled and returned to industry

[12].

1.2 Applications

Advantages, desired properties, environmental regulations, and awareness have led to the Substitution of using conventional woods with the WPC. Its production is growing over Time due to its several applications [10].

Main motives include:

   It can be molded in any particular mold with a variety of shapes and angles, so it can give any desired design [13].

   It can be treated in the same manner as the conventional wood using the same cutting

and sawing equipment [9].

Therefore, it is easy to use any conventional wood workshop with WPC products which have proven to give the same functionality as conventional wood in many [4]. Various WPC products are available in the market substituting some of the conventional wood products such as outdoor deck floors [9].

It is also used for railings, fences, landscaping timbers, siding, park benches, molding and trim, window and door frames, panels and indoor furniture [9].

In addition, Wood plastic composites can also substitute neat plastics in applications where the need for an increase in stiffness is an addition; where the wood fiber elasticity is almost

40 times higher than that of polyethylene and the overall strength is approximately 20 times greater [14]. It has also higher thermal and creep performance compared to plastics and thus

could be used in many structural building applications [14]