Morphology and Properties of Wood. Fiber Reinforced Blends of Recycled Polystyrene and Polyethylene

ABSrRAcr: Material properties of composites prOOuced from ruycled plastics and ruycled ~ fiber were compared. A blend of high -density polyethylene aIKi polystyrene was used as a simulated mixed plastic. Stift'ness was generally improved by the addition of fiber, as expected, but brittleness also increased. Pre-treatment of the ~ fiUer with phenol-fonna1~ resins did not significantly a~t material properties. Differential scanning caiOrlmetry i~cated no interaction bet~n the polyethylene ptIase and the other phases present in the composite. Glass transition temperatures for the various combinations of components i~cated a possible interaction between the polystyrene phase aM untreated ~ fiUer. This was supported by scanning electron micrographs. which iooicated a less-coalesced morphology for samples fiUed with treated ~ Rour compared to those with untreated ~ ftour .