Acoustic and Mechanical Characterization of Sawdust-Reinforced HDPE Composites
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64229/qqvmft14Keywords:
Wood shavings-reinforced plastic, Polyethylene recycling, Mechanical and acoustic properties, Circular economyAbstract
To reduce plastic waste and integrate renewable sawdust into the circular economy, this research investigates the properties of sawdust-reinforced plastic (SRP), made from recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and pine sawdust. The results show that adding sawdust to HDPE plastic reduces the density of the samples. A slight increase in compressive strength, up to 22.7 MPa, was also observed. Furthermore, the ultrasonic transmission speed decreased by 12.3%. This study suggests the potential for improving the processing of wafers and integrating them with nanomaterials to enhance their durability, as well as expanding the industrial applications of SRP. The results also provide a comprehensive experimental model that demonstrates the relationship between mixing ratios, structural composition, and function, thereby improving our understanding of the relationship between molecular structure and mechanical and acoustic properties.
References
[1]Gündoğdu S, Bour A, Köşker AR, Walther BA, Napierska D, Mihai FC, et al. Review of microplastics and chemical risk posed by plastic packaging on the marine environment to inform the Global Plastics Treaty. Science of the Total Environment, 2024, 946, 174000. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174000
[2]Donuma KU, Ma L, Bu C, George LY, Gashau M, Suleiman AO. Environmental and human health risks of indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste and sachet water bags in Maiduguri, Borno State Nigeria. Waste Management Bulletin,2024, 2(2), 130-139. DOI: 10.1016/j.wmb.2024.04.002
[3]Mitaľová Z, Mitaľ D, Berladir K. A concise review of the components and properties of wood–plastic composites. Polymers, 2024, 16(11), 1556. DOI: 10.3390/polym16111556
[4]Najafi SK, Hamidinia E, Tajvidi M. Mechanical properties of composites from sawdust and recycled plastics. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2006, 100(5), 3641-3645. DOI: 10.1002/app.23159
[5]Dányádi L, Móczó J, Pukánszky B. Effect of various surface modifications of wood flour on the properties of PP/wood composites. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 2010, 41(2), 199-206. DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2009.10.008
[6]Ferreira RS, Jesus GA, Monteiro JP, Martins AF, Tessari RK, Bonafé EG. Eco-friendly and cost-effective high-density polyethylene-based composites: Optimizing wood–plastic composites for enhanced performance. ACS omega, 2025, 10(7), 6437-6445. DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c06422
[7]Hillig É, Bobadilla I, Arriaga F, Íñiguez-González G. Using acoustic testing to estimate strength and stiffness of wood-polymer composites. Maderas. Ciencia y tecnología, 2024, 26. DOI: 10.22320/s0718221x/2024.04
[8]Charai M, Sghiouri H, Mezrhab A, Karkri M, Elhammouti K, Nasri H. Thermal performance and characterization of a sawdust-clay composite material. Procedia Manufacturing, 2020, 40, 690-697. DOI: 10.1016/j.promfg.2020.03.098
[9]Zine O, Taoukil D, El Abbassi I, Laaroussi N, Kadri EH, lhassane Lahlaouti M. Experimental and theoretical thermal investigation of bio-composite panels based on sawdust particles. Journal of Building Engineering, 2023, 76, 1072541. DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2023.107251
[10]Perišić S, Kalevski K, Grujić A, Nedeljković D, Stajić-Trošić J, Radojević V. Effect of moisture on the mechanical properties of wood–plastic composites hybridized with metal grid layers. Polymers, 2023, 15(24), 4705. DOI: 10.3390/polym15244705
[11]Thomas A, Dabai FN, Aderemi BO, Sani YM. Extraction of lignin from sawdust (Chlorophora excelsa). Chemistry Proceedings, 2025, 17(1), 2. DOI: 10.3390/chemproc2025017002
[12]Goda I, Padayodi E, Raoelison RN. Enhancing fiber/matrix interface adhesion in polymer composites: Mechanical characterization methods and progress in interface modification. Journal of Composite Materials, 2024, 58(29), 3077-3110. DOI: 10.1177/00219983241283958
[13]Askadskii A, Askadskii A, Matseevich T. Structure and properties of Wood-Polymer Composites (WPC). Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2019
[14]Duruaku JI, Okoye PA, Onuegbu TU, Onwukeme VI, Okoye NH, Nwadiogbu JO. Physicomechanical properties of sustainable wood plastic composites of tropical sawdust and thermoplastic waste for possible utilization in the wood industry. Journal of Sustainable Bioenergy Systems, 2023, 13(4), 149-71.
[15]Oliveros-Gaviria C, Cumbalaza E, Mina-Hernandez JH, Valencia-Zapata ME, Suarez-Bonilla JN, Martinez-Mera N. Wood plastic composite based on recycled high-density polyethylene and wood waste (sawdust). Polymers, 2024, 16(22), 3136. DOI: 10.3390/polym16223136
[16]Albrecht S, Bertling J, Fischer M, Gehring F, Kabasci S, Prescher T, Schulte A, Oldenburg J, Prescher T, Schulte A. Reusable plastic crates vs. single-use cardboard boxes. Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology, 2022. DOI: 10.24406/publica-456
[17]Ferede E, Muhammed A, Kassa A, Kedir S, Tesfaye T, Zerefa W. Fabrication and characterization of recycled polyethylene terephthalate composites reinforced with sisal fibre and wood sawdust. Textile & Leather Review, 2024, 7, 493-516. DOI: 10.31881/TLR.2023.221
[18]Chen L, Huan TD, Ramprasad R. Electronic structure of polyethylene: Role of chemical, morphological and interfacial complexity. Scientific Reports, 2017, 7(1), 6128. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06357-y
[19]Kangas H, Felissia FE, Filgueira D. 3D printing high-consistency enzymatic nanocellulose obtained from a soda-ethanol-O2 pine sawdust pulp. Bioengineering, 2019, 6(3), 60. DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering6030060
[20]Murugapoopathi S, Ashwin Prabhu G, Chandrasekar G, Selvam R, Gavaskar T, Sudhagar S. Fabrication and characterisation of saw dust polymer composite. Journal of The Institution of Engineers (India): Series D, 2025, 106(1), 139-44. DOI: 10.1007/s40033-023-00596-2
[21]Thomas A, Dabai FN, Aderemi BO, Sani YM. Extraction of Lignin from Sawdust (Chlorophora excelsa). Chemistry Proceedings, 2025, 17(1), 2. DOI: 10.3390/chemproc2025017002
[22]Cui Y, Lee S, Noruziaan B, Cheung M, Tao J. Fabrication and interfacial modification of wood/recycled plastic composite materials. Composites Part A: applied science and manufacturing, 2008, 39(4), 655-661. DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2007.10.017
[23]Lopez YM, Paes JB, Gustave D, Gonçalves FG, Méndez FC, Nantet AC. Production of wood-plastic composites using cedrela odorata sawdust waste and recycled thermoplastics mixture from post-consumer products-A sustainable approach for cleaner production in Cuba. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2020, 244, 118723. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118723
[24]Kuforiji C, Durowaye S, Kassim K, Lawal G. Influence of sawdust particles reinforcement on physical and mechanical characteristics of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix composites. Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology, 2023, 17(1), 1-7. DOI: 10.3126/kuset.v17i1.62382
[25]Železnik A, Čurović L, Prezelj J. Sustainable sound absorption using shredded plastic particles: Adjusting low-frequency acoustic performance with particle size. Journal of Low Frequency Noise, Vibration and Active Control, 2025, 44(2), 1139-1150. DOI: 10.1177/14613484251314934
[26]Shaharudin MA. Acoustic panel: using kapok and sawdust as absorbent material. Undergraduate Final Year Project Report, 2016.
[27]Santhanam S, Subramanian A. Sustainable polymer acoustic composites from waste cotton, coffee husk, and sawdust for functional applications. Fibers and Polymers, 2025, 26(6), 2557-2568. DOI: 10.1007/s12221-025-00962-9
[28]Kim KB, Huang RZ, Xu XW, Lee SY, Kunio J, Wu QL. Sound transmission properties of mineral-filled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and wood-HDPE composites. CABI Digital Library, 2015, 10(1), 510-526.
[29]Nyumutsu J, Agyei-Agyemang A, Andoh PY, Tawiah PO, Asaaga BA. The potential of sawdust and coconut fiber as sound reduction materials. Journal of Applied Engineering and Technological Science, 2023, 4(2), 734-742.
[30]Saljoughian A, Mostofinejad D. Axial-flexural interaction in square RC columns confined by intermittent CFRP wraps. Composites Part B: Engineering, 2016, 89, 85-95. DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2015.10.047
[31]Younesi M, Bahrololoom ME. Producing toughened PP/HA-LLDPE ternary bio-composite using a two-step blending method. Materials & Design, 2009, 30(10), 4253-4259. DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2009.04.029
[32]Rahman A, Khondoker MAH. Effect of treatment methods on material properties and performance of sawdust-concrete and sawdust-polymer composites. Polymers, 2024, 16(23), 3289. DOI: 10.3390/polym16233289
[33]Olaiya BC, Lawan MM, Olonade KA. Utilization of sawdust composites in construction—a review. SN Applied Sciences, 2023, 5(5), 140. DOI: 10.1007/s42452-023-05361-4
[34]Vengadesan E, Arunkumar T, Muralidharan S, Debnath K, Dutta H, Kadirgama K. Hybrid bio-composites reinforced with natural wood saw dust and eco-friendly graphite: evaluation of physical, mechanical, and thermal properties. Fibers and Polymers, 2025, 26(2), 833-854. DOI: 10.1007/s12221-025-00848-w
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 fidjah abdelkader, Kolli Khadidja , Souddi Abdelhak (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.