EFFECT OF CONFIGURATION AND SOME PROCESSING VARIABLES ON TIj’E’ PROPERTIES OF WOOD FIBER-POLYETHYLENE COMPOSITES

[ABSTRACT] Chemical compositions and fiber measurement of virgin and recycled fibers from three sources were determined. Results revealed that virgin southern pine fiber had highest slcohol-benzene extractive and lignin contents and lowest holoand alpha-cellulose content among the three fiber types. Fiber length distribution of virgin fiber was less sensitive to disintegration. Effects of recycled fiber, panel configuration, and some processing variables on the performance of wood fiber-polyethylene composites were also studied. Investigation showed that replacing virgin fiber with recycled fiber adversely affected mechanical properties Of fiberboard. In both homogenous and layered configurations with 20% polyethylene content, IB, MO&, MOE,,, and dimensional stability were directly related to virgin fiber ratio. However, layered structure with 40% polyethylene showed improvement in dimensional stability. Experimental results also indicated that, at given composition, i.e., virgin fiber:recycled fiber:polyethylene=40:40:20, panel IB was affected by both hot press temperature and panel density; bending properties and water absorption were altered by panel density.