DuPont Fusabond

COUPLING AGENTS

Improving Wood-Plastic Composite Performance

DuPont Fusabond Gives You the Edge in Wood-Plastic Composites

DuPont Fusabond coupling agents give you valuable tools to grow your markets in wood-plastic composites using various polymers with wood, rice hulls, natural fibers or other cellulosic materials. Makes stronger, stiffer, tougher wood-plastic composites
Fusabond improves composite properties by creating durable chemical links between cellulosic materials and various polymer types. The accompanying charts (Figures 15 on the next page) show significant improvements in the moisture resistance, strength, stiffness and toughness of woodplastic samples. Were confident youll see similar results in your process. table below, give you maximum compatibility with your matrix polymers. They also provide flexibility in tailoring product properties for your specific market requirements.

In decks, Fusabond delivers the extra strength and impact resistance required for thin profiles.

Use less and save

Traditional Fusabond grades consist of polymers with grafted maleic anhydride (MAH) that work with polyethylene and polypropylene matrices. We are developing offerings to work with polyvinyl chloride matrices that may help reduce water absorption and increase dimensional stability.* Recently, DuPont developed a new coupling technology an ethylene copolymer with anhydride functionality. Called Fusabond M603, this unique technology can produce both substantial strength improvements, as well as increased moisture resistance in wood/PE at significantly lower use levels than traditional MAH coupling agents. At higher levels, it provides superior performance for dramatic reduction in water absorption.

Helps combat rot

Fusabond significantly reduces moisture absorption in PE/wood composites. By cutting moisture uptake in wood-plastic composite products, Fusabond helps increase dimensional stability, and combat deterioration caused by mold growth and rot in cellulose flour or fibers.

In PP/wood composites for automotive uses such as door panels, trunk liners, etc., Fusabond can improve strength and stiffness.

Optimizes wood-plastic composite properties

Fusabond is available in a variety of grades. The primary grades, listed in the

Selecting Fusabond Grades for Wood-Plastic Composites

Matrix Polymer PE PE PE PP PP Grade E100 E226E M603 P613 P353 Melt Flow Rate, g/10 min Melt Point, C 2.0 1.5 25 120 (49)1 471 (22.4)2 136 122 108 160 136 MAH Level High High Ultra High Medium Very High Density g/cc 0.96 0.93 0.94 0.91 0.90 Key Attributes Increases flex strength and modulus. Standard performance. Premium performance, especially good improvement in flex strength, impact, and flex modulus. New technology. Increases strength, and improves moisture resistance and other properties at levels below conventional grafted MAH grades. Increases flex strength. Standard performance Premium performance, especially good improvement in flex strength, impact, and flex modulus.

Notes: Test Methods: MFR, ASTM D1238 (190C, 2.16 kg) except as noted; melting point, ASTM D3418; density, ASTM D792. 1: Value shown is calculated for 190C, 2.16 kg. Value in (bracket) is measured at 190C, 1000 g. 2: Value shown is calculated for 190C, 2.16 kg. Value in (bracket) is measured at 160C, 325 g.

*Contact us to find out more about this development.

PE/Wood, Effects of Fusabond on Extruded Boards

Figure 1: Flex Modulus with Fusabond
750 700

Wood Dispersion with 0.5% Fusabond

SEM images of fracture surface (Brabender Compounding)

No coupling/55% oak/HDPE
Figure 2: Flex Strength with Fusabond
6000 5500
Fusabond M603 E/anhydride copolymer

MOE (kpsi)

MOR (psi)

650 600 550

Traditional Graft

Fusabond M603 E/anhydride copolymer

5000 4500 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000

Traditional Graft

500 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

Coupling Agent (%)

Coupling Agent (%)

0.5% FusM603/55% oak/HDPE

Figure 3: Water Absorption with 2% Fusabond

14.0
No Coupling

Figure 4: Water Absorption with 3% Fusabond

14.0
No Coupling

Weight Increase (%)

10.0 8.0 6.0 4.0 2.0 0.0 0 10 20 30

2.0% Traditional Graft 2.0% Fusabond M603 E/anhydride copolymer

Weight Increase (%)

12.0

12.0 10.0 8.0 6.0 4.0 2.0 0.0 0 10 20 30

3.0% Traditional Graft

3.0% Fusabond M603 E/anhydride copolymer

40

50

60

70

80

90

40

50

60

70

80

90

Days Immersion

Days Immersion

Addition of Fusabond M603, even at a very low level of 0.5 wt%, helps with the dispersion of the wood fibers. The result is improved mechanical properties and reduced moisture gain of WPC.

Note: Board data obtained from university pilot line shows relative performance of coupling agents at various loading levels. Material: HDPE (0.5 ml) with 60% dried pine flour (60 mesh), coupling agent, 5% untreated talc, and 3% non-metallic lubricant. Material compounded and extruded using an 86 mm conical twin screw at a rate of greater than 600 lb/hr for most samples. Boards (6 wide, 5 thick) were tested for Flexural Modulus (MOE using ASTM D-6109), Flexural Strength (MOR ASTM D-6109), and Water Absorption (ASTM D-570)

We can help you succeed

DuPonts global supply capability and technical support are unmatched in the industry. Not only can we serve any of your manufacturing plants around the world, our expertise in compounding, extrusion and polymer science is at your disposal to help optimize your composite products or production process.

PE/Wood, Effects of Fusabond on Compression Molded, Cut Samples

Figure 5: Traditional PP/Wood Coupling
10000

MODULUS 530 kpsi

MODULUS 560 kpsi

MODULUS 560 kpsi

Flex strength (psi)

8000 6000 4000 2000 0 No Coupling Agent Fusabond P MD-353D Fusabond P MD-613-05

Fusabond can improve your bottom line and give you the edge in the marketplace. Use the back page to find the DuPont location in your region and get started today!

Note: lab data are intended only to show the relative performance of different Fusabond grades. Material: Polypropylene (PP) with 55% dried oak flour (40 mesh), 2% coupling agent, no lubricant. Samples compounded using Brabender equipment with five minute mixing time before being compression molded.

Worldwide DuPont Sales and Support

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For additional information, visit us at: www.dupont.com/industrial-polymers/woodalternatives/

The data listed here fall within the normal range of properties, but they should not be used to establish specification limits nor used alone as the basis of design. The DuPont Company assumes no obligations or liability for any advice furnished or for any results obtained with respect to this information. All such advice is given and accepted at the buyers risk. The disclosure of information herein is not a license to operate under, or a recommendation to infringe, any patent of DuPont or others. DuPont warrants that the use or sale of any material that is described herein and is offered for sale by DuPont does not infringe any patent covering the material itself, but does not warrant against infringement by reason of the use thereof in combination with other materials or in the operation of any process.

CAUTION: Do not use in medical applications involving permanent implantation in the human body. For other medical applications, see DuPont Medical Caution Statement, H-50102. Copyright 2008 DuPont. The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont, The miracles of science, and Fusabond are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates. All rights reserved. K-08789-1 (04/08) Printed in the U.S.A