Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Wood Filler Two-Stage Processing

Overview & Synopsis

Introduction. An acute problem of modern industry is environmental pollution by plastic products, which are highly resistant to degradation and accumulate in ecosystems. This poses a threat to natural resources and requires the development of alternative materials combining strength and environmental safety. In this context, special attention is paid to wood-polymer composites (WPC), which are a promising class of biodegradable materials. Their drawback is the difficulty in ensuring a strong interaction between the hydrophilic wood filler and hydrophobic polymer matrix that directly affects the physical, mechanical and operational properties. Aim of the Study. The study is aimed at investigating the effect of two-stage processing of wood filler (thermal modification followed by ozonation) on structural changes in its composition and the physicochemical properties of the obtained composites. Materials and Methods. The studies were carried out using pine wood flour subjected to two-stage processing. IR spectroscopy was used to analyze the molecular structureand chemical changes. Infrared spectroscopy was used to analyze the molecular structure and chemical changes. There were also used water absorption analysis and determination of bending and tensile strength. Results. There have been determined the bending and tensile strength, and the degree of water absorption of the material. Thermal treatment resulted in degradation of cellulose and lignin, reduction of humidity and improvement of mechanical properties. Ozonation increased the content of oxygen-containing groups, strengthened adhesion with the polymer matrix and reduced water absorption by 50%. The tensile strength increased by 17.89% and the bending strength by 15.6%. Discussion and Conclusion. The proposed method of modifying wood filler allows improving significantly the performance characteristics of WPC. The material can be used to produce biodegradable containers for planting that opens up prospects for its application for environmentally friendly technologies. The results obtained confirm the effectiveness of the two-stage approach to filler modification and the feasibility of its use in industrial production.