International Journal of Engineering and Technology

A composite material was formed using recycled polypropylene (PPr) as a matrix and wood flour of Andean oak (QuercusHumboldtti) as reinforcing material. The adhesion between these components of different nature, was improved throughan alkali treatment of wood flour andutilizing the coupling agent block copolymer of Styrene-Ethylene-Propylene-Styrene grafted with maleic anhydride (SEPS-g-MAH). Four types of composite were formulated, the amount of wood flour respect to PPr was kept constant and the percentage of SEPS-g-MAH was varied in 0%, 3%, 5% and 7%. The compatibilizing effect of SEPS-g-MAH was evaluated by moisture absorption test, hardness test, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of each composite. The alkali treatment of the wood flour decreased the size of particles and increased specific contact area. The water absorption decreased and some thermal properties improved at high content of coupling agent; however, the effect of different contents of SEPS-g-MAH in the composites on the Shore D hardness and degradation temperatures was not followed by a clear trend.