Surface engineering of recycled high-density polyethylene-based wood–polymer composites via carbon black-containing surface film coating
COLORATION TECHNOLOGY, cilt.1, sa.1, ss.1-19, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 1 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1111/cote.70104
- Dergi Adı: COLORATION TECHNOLOGY
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Engineering Source (EBSCO), Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Chemical Abstracts Core, Compendex, INSPEC
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-19
- Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study evaluates carbon black nanoparticle (CB NP)-reinforced surface films for improving the durability, thermal stability, fire performance and mechanical retention of recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-based wood-plastic composites (WPCs) after 12 months of natural weathering. Characterisation was performed on film surfaces (colorimetry, fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy [FTIR], field emission scanning electron microscopy [FE-SEM]), isolated film layers (thermogravimetric analysis [TGA], differential scanning calorimetry [DSC]) and complete film–WPC systems (flexural properties, fire performance). CB NPs improved surface colour retention, which may be partly influenced by reduced spectrophotometric sensitivity of dark, broadband-absorbing surface. Independently, stable FTIR peaks at 2915 and 2848 cm−1, along with quantitatively stabilised carbonyl index (CI) values, demonstrated suppressed photo-oxidative degradation at the polymer surface. Uncoated WPCs showed severe degradation, with a 47% reduction in modulus of rupture (MOR), along with surface cracking and interfacial debonding observed via FE-SEM. Film coating slightly reduced MOR loss to 44%, whereas CB incorporation significantly limited it up to 19%. FE-SEM confirmed reduced crack density, although some NP agglomeration was observed. TGA results indicated that CB increased Tonset (~13%) and mitigated weathering-induced reductions. DSC showed slight melting temperature increases and reduced crystallinity, while weathering promoted partial recrystallisation. Fire performance improved (~12.5%) with higher char formation. Overall, CB-reinforced films enhance WPC durability for outdoor applications.