Performance of polypropylene–wood fiber composites

Polypropylene–wood fiber composites were prepared in the optimal mixture conditions determined in a previous work (180°C, 60 rpm, 10 min). Tensile, impact and three-point bending tests were performed in order to evaluate the adhesion between matrix and wood fibers. Other than mixture conditions, drying temperature of treated wood fiber is also an important factor to obtain good performance composites as shown in this work. Tensile properties of composites submitted to two extreme conditions (immersion in water at ambient temperature for 90 days and immersion in boiling water for 1 h) were determined. Heat deflection temperature and thermal analysis of composites were evaluated.