Preparation and characterization of wood plastic composite produced from waste polystyrene with organic filler

Abstract

In this study, polystyrene (PS) polymer composites were prepared and characterized by mechanically and physically. It was aimed to produce a cheap, lightweight, and eco-friendly wood plastic composite (WPC). Waste PS was melted in a cap by gasoline, and 200 % wheat flour (PS(W)), wheat starch (PS(S)), and medium-density fiberboard (MDF) sawdust (PS(D)) were added into the melted PS. After the mixture was well mixed in a dough-like form, it was placed into wooden molds and molds were kept in the oven at 140 °C for 30 minutes and then taken out, and kept for 20 minutes at 4 °C. After the cooling process, the composites were removed from the molds and were cut to 18 mm x 15 mm x 40 mm dimensions using a diagonal saw. Mechanical characterizations were carried out by Internal bonding (IB), Screw holding resistance for edge (SRE) and surface (SRS), Pressure (PR). Physically characterizations were carried out by Density (DN), Water absorption (WA), Thickness swelling (TS). Results show that PS(D) has the highest mechanical properties despite its lowest density. PS(W) sample has better mechanical properties than PS(S) sample. It has been determined that the wood composite obtained by the combination of MDF waste dust with melted waste PS is close to the mechanical and physical properties of particleboard. Waste PS can be blended with wood dust and used on wood composite.