Process for the preparation of maleated polyolefin modified wood particles in composites and products
AssigneeBoard of Trustees of Michigan State University
InventorsLaurent Matuana, Karana Carlborn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Wood particles or fibers and a maleated polyolefin are used to produce a composite in absence of a non-maleated polyolefin. The composite has properties enabling use in homes and avoiding the risk of formaldehyde based adhesives or other hazardous air pollutants.
Claims40
A process for the preparation of a wood fiber or particle based composite which comprises:
- (a) providing a mixture of dried wood fibers or particles and a maleic anhydride moiety coupled to a polyolefin prepared from a monomer containing 2 to 8 carbon atoms as a maleated polyolefin, and combinations thereof, in absence of a non-maleated polyolefin, and optionally an esterification catalyst for reacting the esterification maleic anhydride moiety with the wood fiber or particle;
- (b) pressing the mixture in a mold at an elevated temperature so that the maleic anhydride moiety binds with a surface of the wood fiber or particle and the composite is formed.
A process for the forming of a wood fiber or particle based composite which comprises:
- (a) providing a mixture of a dried wood fiber or particle and a maleic anhydride moiety coupled to a polyolefin prepared from a monomer containing 2 to 8 carbon atoms as a maleated polyolefin, and combinations thereof, in absence of a non-maleated polyolefin, and optionally an esterification catalyst for reacting the esterification maleic anhydride moiety with the wood fiber or particle;
- (b) reactively extruding in a screw extruder the mixture at a temperature of between about 130° C. to 220° C. so that the maleic anhydride moiety bonds with a surface of the wood or particle fiber to produce a surface modified fiber or particle (SMF);
- and
- (c) pressing the SMF in a mold to form the composite.
A process for the forming of a wood fiber or particle based composite which comprises:
- (a) providing a mixture of a dried wood fiber or particle and a polymer with reactive anhydride moiety coupled to a polyolefin prepared from a monomer containing 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and combinations thereof, in absence of a polymer without the reactive moiety;
- (b) reactively heating the mixture so that the moiety bonds with a surface of the wood or particle fiber to produce a surface modified fiber or particle (SMF);
- and
- (c) pressing the SMF in a mold to form the composite.
A wood-plastic composite product produced by a process comprising:
- (a) providing:
- i. dry wood fibers or particles;
- ii. a polyolefin polymer having an anhydride moiety reactive with the wood fiber or the particles moiety, in absence of a polyolefin without the moiety;
- iii. a catalyst for reacting said polymer to said dry wood fibers or particles;
- (b) mixing said wood fibers or particles, said polymer, and said catalyst;
- (c) heating the mixture of step (b) so as to effect the reaction of the polymer reactive moiety with the wood fibers so as to produce surface-modified wood fibers (SMFs);
- and
- (d) attaching the SMFs of step (c) to each other via the polyolefin moiety of the polymer to produce the composite.
A wood-polymer composite consisting essentially of wood particles modified with a polymer, said polymer having a first part comprising an anhydride moiety reactive toward said wood fibers and a second part comprising the polyolefin polymer, said modified wood particles linked to each other via a second part of the polymer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.