Wood Plastic Composites
Nowadays, WPC materials are in crescent demand in many sectors besides construction, such as automotive, electric-electronics, packaging, kitchenware, etc. The main reason for this is the added value that produces the use of renewable resources (natural fillers) in the products, obtaining “green” products.
The main problem with natural compounds is that their production can have many drawbacks, associated with the degradation of the natural fillers, need for additional additivation, right selection of materials and processing conditions, etc. If any of these issues is not taken into account, the final properties will not fulfil the product requirements driving to more expensive materials, with bad aspect, high smell, and poor mechanical properties.
Our solutions
To avoid these problems we offer solutions to WPC users and producers based on the following guidelines:
- Selection of natural fillers according to: final properties and application, polymer matrices and processing technology.
- Correct dispersion and compatibilisation of natural fillers in the polymer matrix, and dispersion assessment using SEM microscopy.
- Optimisation of natural filler surface treatments by mechanical testing and SEM microscopy.
- Selection of additives to improve WPC processing and performance.
- Recommendations on how to process WPC to avoid degradation while achieving good dispersion.
Technical advice and assistance
We have over 15 years’ experience in WPC compounding using a broad range of natural fillers with different polymer matrices, thanks to our participation in numerous EU-funded research projects. This has given us a unique working methodology and know-how that we apply to create the most appropriate experimental design, including the most important factors affecting natural filler distribution and dispersion, and correct handling and processing.
We offer our experience and assistance in the following areas:
- Effective mixing in planetary, co-rotating and counter-rotating TSE, to achieve good distribution and dispersion of natural fillers.
- Compounding trials using very small amount of materials for the testing of special, expensive or rare additives.
- Simulation of the end properties of the compound, using specialist simulation material software.
- Use of special dosing systems based on natural fibres: wood flours, natural fibres, cotton-like fibres, etc.
- Premixing different fillers and additives in a turbo mixer (dry-blend).
- Direct customer assistance at company’s facilities.
- Personalised training on processing WPC and selecting materials (natural fillers, polymers and additives).
