Soybean and linseed oil-based composites reinforced with wood flour and wood fibers

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science 2012-04, Vol.124 (2), p.1520-1528
• Main Authors: Quirino, Rafael L., Woodford, John, Larock, Richard C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; conjugated vegetable oil; copolymerization; Exact sciences and technology; Fibers; Fillers; Flour; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Materials science; mechanical properties; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymers; Resins; Soybeans; Technology of polymers; Thermosetting resins; Wood; wood fibers; wood flour
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.35161

Composites consisting of a conjugated linseed or soybean oil‐based thermoset reinforced with wood flour and wood fibers have been prepared by free radical polymerization. The thermoset resin consists of a copolymer of conjugated linseed oil (CLO) or conjugated soybean oil (CSO), n‐butyl methacrylate (BMA), divinylbenzene (DVB), and maleic anhydride (MA). The composites were cured at 180°C and 600 psi and postcured for 2 h at 200°C under atmospheric pressure. The effect of varying filler load, time of cure, filler particle size, origin of the fillers, and resin composition has been assessed by means of tensile tests, DMA, TGA, Soxhlet extraction followed by 1H‐NMR spectroscopic analysis of the extracts, and DSC. The best processing conditions have been established for the pine wood flour composites. It has been observed that the addition of MA to the resin composition improves the filler‐resin interaction. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012