Production and Testing of WPCs manufactured from hot water extracted wood
Lucas Andrusyk
Project: Production and Testing of WPCs manufactured from hot water extracted wood
Mentor: Doug Gardner
(207) 581-2846
Doug_gardner@umenfa.maine.edu
Abstract:
The FBRI project has developed a patent pending hot water extraction process for wood to produce a feedstock for chemicals and/or fuels. Currently, the extract from the wood is being investigated as a possible feedstock for acetic acid and ethanol production, the remaining extracted wood can potentially be utilized in traditional product forms, i.e. paper, oriented strand board, particle board. One project to be investigated is the application of extracted wood flour in extruded wood plastic composites. Research on the analysis of hot water extracted wood has shown that surface energy of the extracted wood is increased which may provide better interfacial interactions between the wood and the polymer during extrusion processing. In addition, the surface energy and subsequent adhesive bonding capacity of WPCs manufactured from extracted wood may be improved, thus allowing for improved adhesion in bonded components such as WPC glulam beams and hybrid WPC-FRP composites. In this study extracted wood flour will be prepared in quantities required for WPC processing on the pilot scale. WPCs manufactured from extracted wood, polypropylene and appropriate processing aids (lubricants, coupling agents) will be manufactured along with an unextracted control and evaluated following appropriate ASTM standards for tensile, flexure and impact tests. Adhesive bonding tests following compression shear block testing will also be performed on the extracted WPCs. This experimental program will involve the Pulp and Paper Process Development Center for wood extraction, and the Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center for extrusion processing, adhesive studies and material property evaluation. The study will be completed as part of a research team with faculty, staff, and other students in the extrusion research group.
