Thermoplasticization of wood

Thesis/Dissertation · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5177259

Ou, N

A study of converting wood into thermoplastic materials was undertaken to develop a new technique in the utilization of wood wastes. Thermoplasticization of wood was based on chemical modification of wood-polymeric components. The introduction of chemicals into the inherent structure of wood-cell walls resulted in meltable wood. In this investigation, thermoplasticization of wood was carried out by means of benzylation, hydroxypropylation, and hydroxybutylation. Various reaction parameters, such as alkalinity of reaction media, reaction temperature and time, and usage of chemicals were considered to produce thermoplasticized wood with different weight gain. The chemical structure of the thermoplasticized woods was analyzed by using FTIR, DSC, TGA and x-ray crystallography. The dynamic mechanical properties were studied by using DMTA. The morphology of the melted wood was examined by means of SEM. Mechanical and physical properties of the products were also evaluated. Experimental data showed that preswelling and reaction temperature had critical effects on all three etherification reactions. The thermoplasticized woods exhibited good melting properties and were readily molded or extruded into block or film materials. A wide range of glass transition temperatures from 66 to 280{degree}C for the thermoplasticized woods essentially depended upon the weight gain. The molded products exhibited acceptable mechanical strength for structural engineering applications. The relations of properties and structure for the thermoplasticized woods were discussed.

• Research Organization: Clemson Univ., SC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5177259
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
THERMOPLASTICS
SYNTHESIS
WOOD
WOOD WASTES
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
CONVERSION
LIGNIN
CARBOHYDRATES
MATERIALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
POLYMERS
POLYSACCHARIDES
SACCHARIDES
SOLID WASTES
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
WASTES
360601* - Other Materials- Preparation & Manufacture
320305 - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Industrial Waste Management