Wood fiber/polyolefin composites

Composites containing recycled plastics and wood fiber offer an interesting combination of properties, as well as lower cost than competitive materials, especially those based on synthetic fibers. By permitting use of moderately contaminated recycled plastics rather than requiring the use of virgin resin, these materials provide an additional market for recycled plastics, thereby helping to reduce waste disposal burdens. Composites can also be fabricated using recycled wood fiber, such as recovered paper fiber, providing an additional market outlet for recovered paper and thus further waste diversion benefits. Wood fiber/polyolefin composites are often unable to take full advantage of the potential of the fiber reinforcement, due to poor adhesion between the polymer matrix and the fiber. Use of additives to improve adhesion between the fibers and matrix can significantly improve performance. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.