Abstract
This paper presents the obtaining of some composite materials using wood waste (wood chips) and polymer. As thermoplastic matrix, a copolyamide polymer having a low melting interval (125-135°C) was used. Composites were obtained using a two-stage technology: a) wood-polymer pellets obtaining by melt mixing the components; b) composites obtaining by moulding the pellets into a heated press. The influence of wood content on composites properties was studied. Morphological details (by optical and electronic microscopy), thermal behaviour (through TGA and DSC analyses), mechanical properties (tensile, bending and impact strength) and behaviour towards water were investigated. It was concluded that, for a wood content higher than 40%, mechanical properties are getting poorer. Still, even the bending strength is decreasing, it remains 2-8 times higher than that of the composites based on polyolefinic matrix and wood chips. Keywords: composite materials, thermoplastic matrix, copolyamide polymer