Investigation on the compatibilizing effect of m-isopropenyl-α,α-dimethylbenzyl isocyanate grafted polypropylene on polypropylene and wood flour composites

Wood flour (WF) and polypropylene (PP) composites (WF/PP) were compatibilized by m-isopropenyl-α,α-dimethylbenzyl isocyanate grafted polypropylene (m-TMI-g-PP). The effect of wood flour, m-TMI-g-PP contents on the rheology, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), mechanical properties, as well as the morphology of the composites were investigated and discussed. Rheology, DMA results showed that m-TMI-g-PP was an effective compatibilizer for WF/PP composites. The shear modulus (G′) and complex viscosity (η*) of the composites were increased, which implied that the composites probably withstood pronounced shear forces, resulting from strong adhesion at the interface between the matrix PP and WF. The mechanical test indicated that the tensile strength and the flexural strength of the composites were improved with increasing content of m-TMI-g-PP. From the properties tests, the optimum loading of WF in WF/m-TMI-g-PP/PP was found to be 40%, and the optimum loading of m-TMI-g-PP was 6%. Property enhancement is attributed to improved wetting and interactions between the PP matrix and WF, which is supported by scanning electron microscopy analysis.