Effect of sawdust volume on mechanical properties of composite material

Introduction. Generation of composite materials with addition of sawdust is considered. The wood component of the composites is treated with water to enhance the surface roughness. This increases the contact area resulting in intensifying the sawdust – polymer fibers interaction. The work objective is to study the possibility of strengthening composites obtained from sawdust.Materials and Methods. Samples are made of composite materials based on the unsaturated polyester resins, reinforced with wood chips. Water treatment was carried out at room temperature for 2, 4, 6 and 8 days. Then the samples were tested for bending and compression.Research Results. As a result of testing the samples, changes in their mechanical properties were recorded. It is determined how the bending and compression resistance depends on the water treatment time. Graphs that reflect these dependences are constructed.Discussion and Conclusions. After water treatment, the composites reinforced with sawdust show a higher resistance to bending. This is due to the increased roughness of the sawdust surface and, as a consequence, to the extension of the surface area adhesion with the composite base. Besides, the water treatment enhances the specimen resistance under compression. The samples created on the basis of large sawdust come into particular prominence. This is due to the formation of holes on the sawdust surface which also enhances the adhesion between them and the composite polymer base.