PRODUCTION OF WOOD POLYMER COMPOSITE FROM AFRICAN COPAIBA BALSAM (Daniella oliveri) WOOD DUST: EFFECTS OF ALKALINE CONCENTRATION AND TIME OF TREATMENT

Abstract

This work was carried out to produce wood polymer composites (WPCs) based on virgin high density poly-ethylene (vHDPE) and Daniella oliveri wood dusts using compression molding technique. Wood dusts were treated with different concentrations of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at varying time. The surface modification of both untreated and treated wood polymer samples were monitored by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy while the changes in the structure and the properties of WPCs resulting from these treatments were explored by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM)as well as physical and mechanical tests. The experimental results indicated that the alkali treatment of the wood dust improved the interactions between the wood dust and the vHDPE matrix, and enhanced mechanical properties of the composites. It was concluded that the physical, mechanical and microstructural properties of the WPCs were optimised when wood dusts were treated with 4wt% concentration of NaOH solution for 150 minutes.