Effect of Recycling Process on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Wood Flour High-density Polyethylene Composites

This paper reports the effects of recycling on physical and mechanical properties of wood flour high-density polyethylene composites. Composite materials containing HDPE, wood flour, and Maleic Anhydride polyethylene (MAPE) were manufactured and subjected to a recycling process consisting of up to four times grinding and reprocessing under industrial conditions. A wide range of analytical methods including bending tests, modulus of elasticity, impact strength, water absorption tests, fiber length measurement and also scanning electron microscopy were employed to understand the effects of recycling on wood flour-HDPE composites. The results revealed that the recycled composites had lower bending strength and modulus of elasticity values, as compared to the reference counterparts, whereas the once recycled composites showed a higher impact strength compared to both the reference and other more recycled composites. Results, as well, indicated that generally the recycled composites had lower water absorption values as compared to the reference ones.