FUSION CHARACTERISTICS OF WOOD FLOUR FILLED RIGID PVC BY TORQUE RHEOMETRY

摘要

This study was aimed at examining the effects of wood flour contents, wood species (softwood vs. hardwood), and particle size on the fusion characteristics (fusion time, fusion temperature, fusion torque, and fusion energy) of PVC/wood-flour composites. Increased wood flour content caused a significant increase in the time, temperature and energy at which fusion between the primary particles starts, leading to increased fusion torque, irrespective of the wood flovur species. These results implied that rigid PVC filled with wood-flour' must be processed at higher temperatures than neat resin. Although fusion characteristics of the composites were influenced by the wood species, a clear' trend between softwood and hardwood species could not be established. However, finer particles fused more quickly (short fusion time) and needed less energy than coarse ones.