Effects of Matrix Modification on the Mechanical Properties of Wood–Polypropylene Composites

Polypropylene (PP) modified with two reactive monomers, divinyl benzene (DVB) and maleic anhydride (MAH), was used as the matrix to prepare wood–polypropylene composites to improve interfacial compatibility. The effects of the co-modified PP matrices with different DVB concentrations on the mechanical properties of the composites were evaluated. Compared with unmodified composites and the composites containing a coupling agent, the composites modified with MAH only, and that with both MAH and DVB, improved the tensile, flexural, and impact strengths. Interestingly, adding a small amount of DVB (0.4%) resulted in significant increase in impact strength, relative to that of the composites modified with MAH only. Dynamic mechanical analysis and fracture morphology analysis of the modified composites also suggested an improvement in interfacial adhesion owing to the matrix modification.