An experimental method for measurement of strain distribution between wood the flour particles and polymer matrix on micro-mechanical level

Wood plastic composites (WPCs) are comprised of wood flour and thermoplastic polymer. The matrix is typically high-density polyethylene, poly (vinyl chloride), or polypropylene. The effect of morphology and micromechanics of wood flour particles on the mechanical performance of the bulk composite is a relatively unexplored area. The knowledge about the in situ properties of wood particles and the interfacial properties between the wood particles and the polymer matrix in the bio-composites is very limited. The objective of this work is to characterize the full-field deformation and strain distribution in and around wood particles embedded in polymer matrix. The mechanical tests are performed in small-scale tensile loading stage on thin composite samples containing 1–3 wood particles orientated at various angles. The deformations and strains is measured using optical measurement system based on Digital Image Correlation (DIC) principle.

Graphical abstractStrain map of the wood particle embedded particulate composite.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► This manuscript describes an experimental method for measurement of strain distribution between wood flour particles and polymer matrix on micro-mechanical level. ► The rationale of this work is to use Digital Image Correlation technique (DIC) to conduct micro-mechanical research in wood plastic composites.