Accelerated Aging of WPCs Based on Polypropylene and Plywood Production Residues

A lot of researchers are closely connected with natural, lignocellulose fibre containing bio-composites producing and studies. Various of polymer matrices, mainly polyolefins, combinations with natural fibres as a reinforcement are used. Our studies are focused on polypropylene based bio-composites containing birch plywood production by-product sanding dust (PSD) accelerated weathering processes. The nine groups of the samples with different composition were exposed in an accelerated weathering chamber for a total duration of the 1032 h. The surface colour, gloss, whiteness degree, micro-hardness and the tensile properties of the samples during the weathering were tested. In addition, the weathered surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies and by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) investigations. The obtained results showed the following sight: after the weathering the surface of all samples is faded, also the changes of the gloss and of the whiteness degree occurs, but microhardness of the surface of specimens has decreased. The tensile strength of the samples changes a little, in the same time the tensile modulus increases significantly due to the decrease of the deformation ability of the polypropylene matrix and recrystallization processes in PP. The SEM images taken at the 100 and 500 times of the magnification revealed a lot of the different shape and sizes cracks on the surface of the weathered samples. DSC measurements showed the increase of the degree of crystallinity of the polypropylene after the weathering due to the recrystallization process in the polypropylene matrix.