Effect of Compatibilizers on Mechanical Properties of Wood-Plastic Composites Using Styrene Polymers as Matrix Polymers

스티렌계 수지(樹脂)를 매트릭스로 사용한 목재 - 플라스틱 복합체(複合體)의 물성(物性)에 미치는 상용화제(相溶化劑)의 효과(效果)

Composites of styrene polymers with woody fibers were prepared, and the effect of compatibilizers on their mechanical properties was evaluated. To improve the compatibility of wood fibers and the matrix polymers, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer(SMA) and maleic anhydride-modified polymers were used as compatibilizers. As results, maleic anhydride-modified polystyrene and SMA were proved to improve the tensile strength of the molded composites, and also were evaluated as good compatibilizers for the wood fiber polystyrene composite. Cellulosic fiber (dissolving pulp) provided better reinforcement than lignocellulosic fiber(thermomechanical pulp). On the contrary in the case of the composite of wood fiber and acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene copolymer(ABS), SMA and maleic anhydride-modified acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer(MABS) did not act as compatibilizers. However, MABS was evaluated as a good polymer matrix to make wood fiber reinforced composite. The tensile properties of the composites of wood fiber and MABS were superior than those of wood fiber-ABS composites.