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Abstract
The aim of this research is to show useful utilization of agricultural residues such as cotton stalks and branches of pistachio, pomegranate, and Haloxylon species with recycled plastic in manufacturing wood-plastic composite (WPC) panels. Wood-plastic panels were made from a combination of agricultural residues (as natural fiber) and recycled plastic (as resin) at 50 percent, and 60 percent by weight fiber loading. Density and dimensions of the panels were 0.61 g/cm3 and 350 by 350 by 14 mm, respectively. Physical and mechanical properties of the panels including thickness swelling, water absorption, static bending (modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity), and internal bond were investigated. Physical and mechanical properties of the WPC panels decreased with an increase in fiber content from 50 percent to 60 percent. Physical and mechanical properties of samples made with 50 percent plastic were higher than samples with 40 percent plastic. The best values of physical and mechanical properties of the WPC panels were found at 10 percent and 5 percent Haloxylon particle loading, respectively. The highest values of mechanical properties of WPC panels were found at 50 percent plastic and 5 percent Haloxylon particle loading.
Wood-plastic composites (WPC) are widely used in North America, the most common of which are produced by mixing wood flour and plastics to produce a material that can be processed similarly to 100 percent plastic-based products (Sentler 1997, Bowyer and Stockman 2001, Clemons 2002, Ballerini 2004).
WPCs are roughly 50:50 mixtures of thermoplastic polymers and small wood particles. The presence of wood in a plastic matrix can result in a stiffer and lower-cost material than if plastic alone was used. Also, the compression properties (resistance to crushing) for most WPCs are superior to those of wood loaded perpendicular to the grain (Sutherland and Guedes Soares 1997).
WPCs are a combination of wood flour and thermoplastics that form a woodlike material used in the construction of primarily outdoor house decking, but to a lesser extent in railings, furniture, and some automobile parts (Charrier 1991). In recent years there have been a significant number of reports of deck, balcony, and porch failures, some of which have resulted in injury and loss of life (Carradine et al. 2007). As products get more advanced, customers need...