The Performance of Polypropylene Wood–Plastic Composites with Different Rice Straw Contents Using Two Methods of Formation

ABSTRACT To utilize agricultural and forestry wastes and to improve environmental protection, polypropylene (PP) wood–plastic composites were prepared with rice straw powder by using two methods of formation. The effects of formation conditions and rice straw powder content on the mechanical properties, water absorption, and moisture absorption performance of the composites were studied. The tensile sections of the composites were observed by using a stereo-microscope. The results showed that the mechanical properties, water absorption, and moisture absorption performance of the composites formed by mixing compression molding were better than those obtained by layer compression molding. Mixing produced more uniform blending of PP with the fiber compared with using layers of PP with powder. With a rice straw powder content of 50 percent, composites formed by mixing compression molding had good mechanical properties, water absorption, and moisture absorption performance.