Toughening wood/polypropylene composites with polyethylene octene elastomer (POE)

Polyethylene octene elastomer (POE) as impact modifier was incorporated into wood/polypropylene composites (WPC) to enhance the impact strength of the composite. Two extruding routes, i.e. direct extruding route and two-stage extruding route, were adopted to produce Wood Powder/PP/POE ternary composites. The mechanical and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) properties of the composites were investigated. The results showed that the addition of POE can increase the impact strength of the composites, and the composites produced via two-stage extruding route showed superior mechanical properties. The results of the DMA confirmed the mechanical tests.