The effect of mineral fillers on the thermal properties of wood-plastic composites

Abstract

The thermal properties of wood-plastic composites with five different mineral fillers were studied. The tested mineral fillers were calcite (CaCO₃), two different qualities of wollastonite, soapstone, and talc. The amount of wood, mineral, and plastic (polypropylene) was kept constant. Only the mineral type has been changed during the tests. The thermal behavior of the samples was studied by using a differential scanning calorimeter, a thermogravimetric analyzer and by determining the heat build-up. The analyzed properties were compared with a reference sample made without adding any minerals. The results show that the addition of mineral fillers does not remarkably change the thermal stability of composites. All the studied mineral fillers except soapstone had a small effect on the heat build-up.

Keywords:

• Mineral fillers
• thermal properties
• wood-plastic composite
• inorganic filler

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Nordkalk Inc. and Tulikivi Inc.