The effect of the use of filler and recycled high-density polyethylene on the physical, mechanical and structural behavior of wood–polymer composites by the compression molding process

In this paper, wood polymer composites (WPC) consisting of recycled high-density polyethylene and sawdust (SD) were prepared and characterized. A range of mechanical properties, including tensile strength, flexural properties, were studied, along with morphology and water contact angle. The results showed that the mechanical properties of WPC increased with an increase in 30 wt% of the SD content coupled to 7% of CaCO₃. Furthermore, the SD content significantly influenced the water uptake of the composites allowing good physical properties. The produced wood polymer composites also displayed an improved mechanical property with 30% of wood. Whereas a good resistance to water uptake and enhanced physical and mechanical properties are attributed to 50% of wood waste generated from wood products manufacturing such as sawdust (SD), the obtained properties have made the fabricated WPCs good potential candidates for building materials due to their improved stability and strength properties.