effect of blending method on the mechanical properties of wood-plastic composites

in this study, the possibility of producing wood-plastic panels was studied using two different blending methods including melt blend and dry blend. wood-plastic panels were made from recycled high density polyethylene (as resin) and mdf waste (as natural fiber) at 60, 70 and 80% by weight filler loading. nominal density and dimensions of the panels were 1g/cm3 and 35×35×1 cm, respectively. the mechanical properties of the panels including flexural elastic modulus, flexural strength, screw and nail withdrawal resistance, and impact strength were studied. maximum values of flexural modulus of wood-plastic panels were found at 70% fiber content in both methods. flexural strength, screw and nail withdrawal resistance and impact strength of wood-plastic composites reduced with the increase in fiber content from 60% to 80%. mechanical properties of samples made with dry blend method were generally higher than those of samples made with melt blend method for all corresponding formulations.