• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.46-53
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• 1994

This study was conducted to investigate a feasibility of manufacturing wood fiber thermoplastic composites and to evaluate their mechanical properties. Wood fiber as a potential reinforcing filler was compounded with two thermoplastics (polypropylene and high density polyethylene) in high intensity thermokinetic plastic mixer aided with a wetting agent. It was found that wood fiber thermoplastic composites could be manufactured by injection molding process. The tensile and flexural strength of injection molded specimens were improved greatly with increasing wood fiber concentration. Tensile and flexural modulus increased proportionately with wood fiber concentration. Wood fiber provided reinforcement with thermoplastics in terms of strength and modulus. However, the percent elongation at break and energy to break were reduced with increasing wood fiber loadings. Impact strength also showed similar trend.