Effect of moisture absorption-desorption cycles, UV irradiation and coupling agent on the mechanical performance of pinewood waste/polyethylene composites

Javier Guillén-Mallette; Irma Flores-Cerón; Soledad Cecilia Pech-Cohuo; Edgar José López-Naranjo; Carlos Vidal Cupul-Manzano; Alex Valadez-González; Ricardo Herbé Cruz-Estrada; Javier Guillén-Mallette; Irma Flores-Cerón; Soledad Cecilia Pech-Cohuo; Edgar José López-Naranjo; Carlos Vidal Cupul-Manzano; Alex Valadez-González; Ricardo Herbé Cruz-Estrada

doi:10.3934/ctr.2023013

Clean Technologies and Recycling

2023, Volume 3, Issue 3: 193-220. doi: 10.3934/ctr.2023013

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Research article Topical Sections

Effect of moisture absorption-desorption cycles, UV irradiation and coupling agent on the mechanical performance of pinewood waste/polyethylene composites

1.
Yucatan Scientific Research Center, 130 43rd St., Chuburna de Hidalgo, Merida YU 97205, Mexico
2.
Center for Research and Assistance in Technology and Design of the State of Jalisco, Km 5.5 Sierra Papacal-Chuburna Puerto Highway, Merida YU 97302, Mexico
3.
University Center of Exact Sciences and Engineering, 48 José Guadalupe Zuno, Zapopan JC 45157, Mexico

Received: 25 July 2023 Revised: 05 September 2023 Accepted: 11 September 2023 Published: 20 September 2023

The effects of UV radiation, a maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MAPE) coupling agent and moisture cycling exposure on wood plastic composites (WPC) made from pinewood waste (PW) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) on their tensile and flex properties, were studied. First, the effect of UV radiation and the presence of anhydride grafted polyethylene on the absorption-desorption behavior of the compounds was evaluated and then its effect on the mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the surfaces of the samples subjected to these factors and their subsequent damage in fracture zones of the samples. The moisture absorption-desorption process exhibited a two-stage mechanism: the first is significant increases in the absorption values in the first five cycles, and a second stabilization stage that occurs from the sixth cycle onwards. The first stage includes several steps: initial absorption and delamination; capillary action and polymer-wood interaction; and swelling, fiber-matrix interaction and mechanical damage. The second stage involves the balance and stabilization step. Statistically, it was found that the changes in the humidity values in the absorption and desorption cycles show that UV radiation has a significant contribution with the effect of increasing the absorption and desorption values, while the presence of anhydride grafted polyethylene as a lesser effect with an effect of decreasing those values. The tensile and flexural properties of the compounds were significantly affected by UV radiation and moisture cycling. Taking the sample without anhydride grafted polyethylene and without treatments as a reference, only a slight increase of 5–12% in its tensile and flexural properties was observed, while treatments with UV radiation and absorption-desorption cycles reduced them by up to 45%. The SEM analysis confirmed the deterioration of the composites in the form of microcracks, delamination, interfacial voids and mechanical failures in both the wood filler and the polyethylene matrix, especially in the samples exposed to ultraviolet radiation, where this deterioration was lower in the samples containing anhydride grafted polyethylene.
- absorption,
- desorption,
- UV radiation,
- anhydride grafted polyethylene (MAPE),
- cycle,
- moisture,
- wood plastic composite (WPC),
- mechanical properties
Citation: Javier Guillén-Mallette, Irma Flores-Cerón, Soledad Cecilia Pech-Cohuo, Edgar José López-Naranjo, Carlos Vidal Cupul-Manzano, Alex Valadez-González, Ricardo Herbé Cruz-Estrada. Effect of moisture absorption-desorption cycles, UV irradiation and coupling agent on the mechanical performance of pinewood waste/polyethylene composites[J]. Clean Technologies and Recycling, 2023, 3(3): 193-220. doi: 10.3934/ctr.2023013

Related Papers:

Abstract

The effects of UV radiation, a maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MAPE) coupling agent and moisture cycling exposure on wood plastic composites (WPC) made from pinewood waste (PW) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) on their tensile and flex properties, were studied. First, the effect of UV radiation and the presence of anhydride grafted polyethylene on the absorption-desorption behavior of the compounds was evaluated and then its effect on the mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the surfaces of the samples subjected to these factors and their subsequent damage in fracture zones of the samples. The moisture absorption-desorption process exhibited a two-stage mechanism: the first is significant increases in the absorption values in the first five cycles, and a second stabilization stage that occurs from the sixth cycle onwards. The first stage includes several steps: initial absorption and delamination; capillary action and polymer-wood interaction; and swelling, fiber-matrix interaction and mechanical damage. The second stage involves the balance and stabilization step. Statistically, it was found that the changes in the humidity values in the absorption and desorption cycles show that UV radiation has a significant contribution with the effect of increasing the absorption and desorption values, while the presence of anhydride grafted polyethylene as a lesser effect with an effect of decreasing those values. The tensile and flexural properties of the compounds were significantly affected by UV radiation and moisture cycling. Taking the sample without anhydride grafted polyethylene and without treatments as a reference, only a slight increase of 5–12% in its tensile and flexural properties was observed, while treatments with UV radiation and absorption-desorption cycles reduced them by up to 45%. The SEM analysis confirmed the deterioration of the composites in the form of microcracks, delamination, interfacial voids and mechanical failures in both the wood filler and the polyethylene matrix, especially in the samples exposed to ultraviolet radiation, where this deterioration was lower in the samples containing anhydride grafted polyethylene.

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