Effect of silane coupling agent on weathering properties of wood-PLA composites for building decorative materials

Abstract

The objectives of this research is to examine the effect of 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) coupling agent content on physical, thermal and mechanical properties of wood-PLA composites after weathering test under 120 hour exposure to UV. The properties of 10%wt wood-PLA composites which were treated with APTES at 0, 2, 5 and 10 %wt. of wood, were studied. The result found that thermal stability and cold crystallization temperature of wood-PLA composites increased with increasing of APTES content. In addition, Young’s modulus and tensile stress at break of wood-PLA composite treated by 5%wt APTES were the highest among other contents studied. It was found that %elongation at break, flexural strength, %flexural strain and Izod impact strength of wood-PLA composites decreased with higher APTES content on wood surface treatment. The results after weathering test showed that thermal stability of wood-PLA composites decreased and Young’s modulus, tensile stress at break and %elongation at break also slightly decreased but flexural strength, %flexural strain and Izod impact strength increased. It was also found that APTES has no effect on the specimen color shade after weathering test. Thus, wood-PLA composites could be used as building decorative materials.