Bewise Inc. www.tool-tool.com
Reference source from the internet.
The wood-plastics composites (WPC) industry has experienced rapid growth in North America. The growing commercial importance of these materials has expanded efforts for understanding the structure-relationship and for exploring new methodologies for producing new materials.
WPC are typically made using 30% to 60% wood filler or reinforcements. Wood flour can be used as a filler to reduce raw material costs, improve stiffness, and improve dimensional stability with temperature changes with minimal weight increase. When appropriate coupling agents are added to improve fiber-matrix adhesion, wood and other natural fibers can also be used as a reinforcing fiber to strengthen thermoplastics. Wood flour is made commercially by grinding postindustrial material, such as planer shavings, chips, and sawdust, into a fine, flour-like consistency. Wood fiber, although more difficult to process than wood flour, can lead to superior composite properties and act more as reinforcement than as filler. Wood fiber is available from both virgin and recycled sources, including pallets, demolition lumbers, and old newsprints. Wood from small-diameter trees and under-utilized species can also be used. Besides wood, many particle and fiber types have been investigated, such as wheat, kenaf, cornstalk, and jute.
