| Mixing of post consumer plastics such as low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) has been applied for reducing the amount of plastic wastes in landfill. Poor mechanical properties may result with these mixed plastics. The addition of reinforcing fiber seems to improve the strength of the plastics.; In this study, the mechanical properties of LDPE/PP wood composite were investigated. Also, the effect of processing temperatures on the properties was studied. LDPE and PP were varied in six different ratios. Each variation was compounded with 40% of aspen wood fiber by wt. Each compound was processed at two different sets of temperatures: above the LDPE melting point (150°C) and above the PP melting point (180°C).; Overall, 0:100 LDPE:PP had the highest mechanical strength for both processing temperatures, while the best impact strength was achieved with 100:0 LDPE:PP and 0:100 LDPE:PP for the processing temperatures of 150°C and 180°C, respectively. In the case of blends, mechanical strength decreased with increasing ratios of LDPE. The best impact strength for 150°C and for 180°C were achieved with 80:20 and 20:80 LDPE:PP, respectively. In brief, the effect of processing temperature varied, depending on the ratio of LDPE and PP. |
