Evaluation of mechanical properties of teak sawdust and PVC wood plastic composite

Abstract

Wood plastic composites (WPC) are becoming popular in recent years, in majorly automobile and building sectors due to their attractive properties and sustainability compared to traditional materials. This work focuses at mechanical property evaluation of WPCs made of teak wood flour (wastes obtained from wood cutting mills), Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) and Calcium Carbonate as major ingredients. Fabrication of WPC is done using the extrusion process. Tensile, compressive, bending and impact tests were carried out as per ASTM standard testing method D 4761-19 to evaluate mechanical properties of the WPC. It was found that above said WPC has tensile strength of 7.69N/mm², compression strength of 11.42N/mm², flexural strength of 15.264N/mm² and impact strength (Izod) of 0.265 N-M/mm². From these mechanical properties of proposed PWC, it can be concluded that it can replace natural wood, when mechanical performance requirements are within above mentioned allowable values and where seasonal affect, humidity, moisture absorption etc. are the major problems. Additionally since wood waste is used in proposed PWC, material is considered more sustainable and eco-friendly.

Keywords: WPC, PVC, Teak saw dust, Extrusion, ASTM, sustainable