Enhancement of Interfacial Adhesion in Wood Fiber/Clay/HDPE Composites by Phenylethylamine Treatment

ABSTRACT In order to improve the interfacial adhesion of wood fiber filled HDPE composites, the phenylethylamine‐treated clay was used as reinforcement. The effects of clay and wood fiber on the mechanical properties of HDPE composite were studied. The surface of wood fiber was analyzed by X‐ray photospectrum (XPS), and the microstructure of HDPE composite was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that the interfacial bonding of the wood fiber/phenylethylamine‐treated clay/HDPE composite is improved. Compared with HDPE composites, the tensile strength of wood fiber/HDPE composite increased by 32.1%, wood fiber/clay/HDPE composite increased by 45.3%, and wood fiber/phenylethylamine‐treated clay/HDPE composite increased by 42.0%. The stress can be effectively transferred to the wood fiber, which prevents the crack from expanding and improves the impact resistance of the composite.