Preparation and properties of wood plastic composites with desirable features using poplar and five recyclable plastic wastes

Abstract

This study evaluated the mechanical and hydrophobic properties of wood plastic composites (WPC) prepared by the hot molding approach incorporating five different recycled plastics and poplar flour. The WPC showed excellent tensile strength (36.9 MPa) and flexural strength (44.7 MPa) associated with good hydrophobicity, and the excellent properties of WPC could be due to the application of hot pressing which improved the amount of hydroxyl groups and reduced the crystallinity of WPC. The WPC also revealed a strong and hydrostable structure and negligible emission of formaldehyde during the preparation process. Overall, the WPC could be used to substitute traditional wood-based panels as potential furniture material, hence achieving sustainable utilization of plastic wastes.