Mechanical and thermal flow properties of wood flour–biodegradable polymer composites

Wood flour (WF)–polycaprolactone (PCL) and polybutylenesuccinate–butylenecarbonate (PBSC) composites were prepared by knead processing. The effects of a compatibilizer on the tensile and thermal flow properties of the composites were investigated. PCL‐ graft ‐maleic anhydride (PCL‐ g ‐MA) was used as a compatibilizer. Tensile properties were improved by adding PCL‐ g ‐MA to both composites. The tensile strength and Young's modulus were increased from 13 to 27 MPa and 581 to 1011 MPa in WF–PCL (50/50, w/w) composites, respectively, and from 17 to 28 MPa and 814 to 1007 Mpa in WF–PBSC (50/50, w/w) composites, respectively, with the addition of 5% PCL‐ g ‐MA. Elongation at break increased from 4 to 7% and from 3 to 6% in the WF–PCL and the WF–PBSC composites, respectively. Tensile strength was further increased with increasing WF content in the presence of PCL‐ g ‐MA. Thermal flow temperature and melt viscosity of the composites were increased, and water absorption and thickness swelling were improved with the addition of PCL‐ g ‐MA. It was found from the burial test that all composites were more than 40% degraded within 6 weeks, and there was no considerable difference in degradation between composites with PCL‐ g ‐MA and those without. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1900–1905, 2003