Properties of wood polymer composites from eastern redcedar particles reinforced with benzoxazine resin/cashew nut shell liquid copolymer

In this study, properties of experimentally manufactured wood polymer composites based on benzoxazine resin (BA-a) and cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) copolymer were investigated. Specimens having as high as 75% by weight of eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) particles mixed with BA-a/CNSL matrix were manufactured for property evaluation. From the experimental results, wood particles evidently lowered the curing temperature and activation energy of the BA-a/CNSL curing process. Thermal and mechanical properties of the samples were found to substantially increase with increasing amount of wood particles. Dimensional stability in a form of the thickness swelling of the specimens and overall surface quality from water immersion test were found to be comparable with those of other wood-based composite panels.