Physical Properties of Novel Layered Composites of Wood Flour and PVC

Various formulations of wood flour and rigid Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) composites were prepared and the effects of layering and composite composition on their physical properties were studied. Beech wood flour, PVC, Maleic Anhydride Polyethylene (MAPE), and beech veneer were used to produce the composites in a two-step conventional hot press system. Physical property tests, including equilibrium moisture content (EMC), long term water absorption and thickness swelling were carried out. The results indicated that, by the increase in PVC content from 20% to 30%, EMC, maximum water absorption and maximum thickness swelling decreased. No significant relationship was observed between PVC content and water diffusion coefficient, whereas layered composites on average had higher water diffusion coefficients in comparison with unlayered composites. Results of laminating revealed that it caused a decrease in the EMC, and an increase in maximum water absorption and maximum thickness swelling.