Water Absorption of Polyethylene/Wood Flour Composite and Its Effects on Mechanical Properties of the Composite

Polyethylene(PE)/maleated polyethylene/ wood flour composite(WPC)was prepared by extrusion.The influences of the immersion time and the content of maleated polyethylene(MAPE) on the water absorption of the composite were studied.Furthermore,the dependence of the mechanical properties of WPC including the flexural strength,impact strength and expansion on the water absorption was thoroughly investigated.A fast absorption rate was observed at the initial stage of immersion.With prolonging the immersion time,the absorption rate gradually reduced,and finally reached an equilibrium.Both the water absorption extent and expansion of the water-absorbed of WPC were reduced with increasing the content of maleated polyethylene in WPC.The flexural strength,impact strength and dimension stability of WPC were influenced by the water absorption extent.The flexural strength and impact strength of WPC reduced with increasing the water absorption extent.And the expansion of the water-absorbed WPC increased.The mechanical properties remained constant when the WPC was saturated with water.