Mechanical and Thermal characterization of Wood Polymer Composites

Wood-Plastic Composites (WPC) are very promising and sustainable green materials to achieve durability without using any toxic chemicals. The term WPC refers to any composites that contain plant fibers combined with thermoses or thermoplastics. In comparison to other fibrous materials plant fibers are in general suitable to reinforce plastics due to relative high strength to weight ratios low cost low density low CO2 emission biodegradability and annually renewable. Plant fibers as fillers and reinforcement for polymers are currently the fastest growing type of polymer additives. Since automakers are aiming to make every part either recyclable or biodegradable there still seems to be some Scope for green-composites based on biodegradable polymers and plant fibers. From a technical point of view these bio-based composites will enhance mechanical strength and acoustic performance reduce material weight and lower production cost including dimensional stability.