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Enhancing the Durability of Composite Wood Using Ethylene Propylene Rubber

A Science Investigatory Project Plan

Submitted As Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements in Research III

Bernardo, Angelo John L.

Ferrer, Kieth Alysson T.

Gonzalo, Janesse Anne Marie G.

Lim, Armando Ernesto C.

Manalang, June Emerson C.

Rodriguez, Jason Lloyd T.

Umbania, John Marc C.

Quezon City Science High School

January 2019
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Rationale

Composite wood is a material that is a mixture of wood fiber, plastic, and some

kind of binding agent. These materials are put together to form a much denser, stronger

and heavier than wood. As one of the prime commodities in development structure or

engineering, therefore, it should be affordable, durable and should last a long time.

Through research and other methods of assessment it was identified that one of the

weaknesses of compressed wood is it can only handle a certain amount of weight until it

breaks.

The commonly used composite wood is made up of wood, rice hulls, walnut

shells, ground oyster shells, chalk, and calcium carbonate1 which are usual materials

that are biodegradable which the researchers predict that it can only hold a certain

amount of weight in a certain amount of time due to the materials used. The common

composite wood has many common materials but composite wood can only hold about

22 kilograms per square foot which can be a reason for the researchers to proceed with

the study.2

1The Promise of Wood-Plastic Composites. (2017, October 18). Retrieved

from https://www.appliancedesign.com/articles/95287-the-promise-of-
wood-plastic-composites
2 Citeseerx.ist.psu.edu. (2019). [online] Available at:
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.922.1827&rep=r
ep1&type=pdf [Accessed 20 Jan. 2019].
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One of the pros of plastic is it is cheaper than rubber, but when rubber is applied

to composite wood, rubber makes the composite wood more durable and makes the

composite wood last longer than applying plastic to composite wood which is one of its

cons.

To find a solution for weak material for construction, the researchers want to measure

the durability of the newly researched product to make sure that the proposed

composite wood will be better than the commercial composite wood. By mixing the

wood with rubber components it can be more durable. The rubber has the property of

being abrasion resistance and by applying rubber to composite wood; the composite

wood will become scratch proof.

This research emphasizes another economically-attractive option, which is the

use of recycled tire rubber in Portland cement concrete (rubcrete). Preliminary studies

show that workable rubberized Portland cement concrete mixtures can be made

provided that appropriate percentages of tire rubber are used in such mixtures.3

The researcher’s objective is to make the composite wood more durable in terms

of load capacity and breaking point compared to commercial composite wood which is

theorized to be weaker than the proposed composite wood.

The beneficiary of this proposal are the people who mostly use wood for

occupation like carpenters and furniture makers because the composite wood that the

3 ASTM International. (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2018, from

https://www.astm.org/DIGITAL_LIBRARY/JOURNALS/CEMENT/PAGES/
CCA10519J.html
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researchers propose is hypothesized to be more durable in terms of tensile load

capacity and breaking point. The proposed composite wood will also benefit the people

who will use the product. Aside from economic benefit that the developer may take

advantage of, the consumer may also need to consider the environmental advantages

of this research. Concepts had been presented but no further studies persuaded to

push through a deep dive evaluation on how this can be put into action.

Research Questions
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Which ratio of wood aggregate and ethylene propylene rubber among 1:1, 1:2,

and 1:3 will produce a more durable composite wood in terms of load capacity and

breaking point compared to commercial composite wood?4

Hypothesis

Null Hypothesis

There is no significant difference in the durability of the composite wood in

terms of load capacity and breaking point in the ratio of wood aggregate to rubber

when compared to commercial composite wood.

Alternative Hypothesis

There is a significant difference in the ratio of wood aggregate to ethylene

propylene rubber in terms of load capacity and breaking point of the composite wood

when compared to commercial composite wood.

Engineering Goals

4 Dimensional stability and mechanical behaviour of wood–plastic composites

based on recycled and virgin high-density polyethylene (HDPE). (2007,
November 04). Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S135983680700145X
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The researchers’ goal is to find if there is a significant difference between the

commercial composite wood and the ethylene propylene-reinforced wood in terms of

load capacity and breaking point which will be helpful for furnitures and houses against

the regular or commercial composite wood because of the ethylene propylene-

reinforcement. It would be better to use since it is recyclable and is friendly to the

environment. This project is expected to be more efficient than the said wood in terms of

load capacity and breaking point of the fabricated composite wood.

Expected Outcome

The researchers’ ethylene propylene -reinforced composite wood will have

a significant difference in the ratio of wood aggregate to rubber in terms of load capacity

and breaking point of the fabricated composite wood compared to the commercially

available composite wood. 5

Flowchart

5 Dimensional stability and mechanical behaviour of wood–plastic composites

based on recycled and virgin high-density polyethylene (HDPE). (2007,
November 04). Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S135983680700145X
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Procedure
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Gathering of Wood Shavings and Sawdust, and Ethylene Propylene Rubber

The researchers can collect the wood shavings and sawdust at wood carving

shops or any woodworking factories. The ethylene propylene rubber will be provided by

the researchers that can be found at the nearby hardware stores.

Melting of Ethylene Propylene Rubber

The ethylene propylene rubber will be put in a heated pan which is in the

temperature of 160 degrees Celsius until the rubber is a fine and smooth liquid.6 The

melting of ethylene propylene rubber will be held at the Department of Public Works and

Highway (DPWH) Bureau of Research and Standards located at DPWH, Region IV-A

Compound EDSA Corner, NIA Rd, Diliman, Quezon City, 1101 Metro Manila

Molding of Samples

6 Kaiser, Wolfgang (2011). Kunststoffchemie für Ingenieure von der Synthese

bis zur Anwendung [Plastics chemistry for engineers from synthesis to
application] (in German) (3rd ed.). München: Hanser. p. 247.
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The wood shavings and sawdust, and ethylene propylene rubber (liquid form) will

be arranged in a mold made of metal measured 10.16 x 20.32 cm. To avoid trapped air

bubbles in the produced samples, the mold will be exposed to a vacuum chamber. The

ethylene propylene rubber will serve as a binding agent of the wood. Afterwards, leave it

to air-dry for 3 days to assure that the rubber will harden after this time period.7

Testing of Durability

The testing of the durability of the composite wood with ethylene propylene

rubber will be conducted using the 200T Universal Testing Machine (UTM) at the

Department of Public Works and Highways at Region IV-A Compound EDSA Corner,

NIA Rd, Diliman, Quezon City, 1101 Metro Manila.

Risk and Safety

7Wang, Baoyu, III, L., & R., M. (2000, November 07). Hot melt adhesive
based on ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR) and semicrystalline olefinic
polymers - Ato Findley, Inc. Retrieved from
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6143818.html
US4241133A - Structural members of composite wood material and process
for making same. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://patents.google.com/patent/US4241133A/en
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For the first process, which is the gathering of materials, the researchers have a

high chance of having wounds specially bruises, incisions, punctures, and splinters. In

gathering the ethylene propylene rubber, especially from factories and companies, the

researchers might be exposed to dangerous gas which can be dangerous to

researcher’s health. It may also be toxic to the researchers when melting it. 8 Next, the

researchers may hurt their hands and the sawdust might be inhaled or make contact

with the eyes and irritate it while chopping the wood. Also while cutting the wood; the

blade used might have a chance of hitting the researcher.9

Hand gloves will be required to protect the researcher’s hands from the wounds

stated above. It protects the researcher’s hands from loose thorns and sharp wood

pieces. Face/mouth masks can be used in protecting the researcher’s respiratory

system while collecting the rubber from the factories or manufacturers. Lab gowns,

aprons, safety goggles, and face masks may protect the researchers while cutting and

chopping the wood into the required measurements.

Data Analysis

8 US4241133A - Structural members of composite wood material and process

for making same. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://patents.google.com/patent/US4241133A/en
9 Drugs.com. (2018). Smoke Inhalation - What You Need to Know. [online]

Available at: https://www.drugs.com/cg/smoke-inhalation.html [Accessed

19 Dec. 2018].
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The researchers will use 2 population t-test to find if the amount of ethylene

propylene rubber present in composite wood, would affect the wood’s durability in terms

of load capacity and breaking point.

Bibliography
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Composites of surface‐treated wood fiber and recycled polypropylene Sain, M., Imbert,
C. and Kokta, B. (2018). .

Drugs.com. (2018). Smoke Inhalation - What You Need to Know. [Online] Available at:
https://www.drugs.com/cg/smoke-inhalation.html [Accessed 19 Dec. 2018].

Ethylene propylene rubber compounds. Specification. (n.d.). doi:10.3403/02834693

Mi.eng.cam.ac.uk. (n.d.). [online] Available at:

http://mi.eng.cam.ac.uk/IALego/bender_files/bend_theory.pdf [Accessed 14 Oct. 2018].

O'Connor, J. (2018). Improving wood strength and stiffness through viscoelastic

thermalcompression. [online] ScholarsArchive@OSU. Available at:
https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/8623j074v
[Accessed 14 Oct. 2018].

Rubber, Ethylene-Propylene, General Purpose. (n.d.). doi:10.4271/amsr83285a

The Promise of Wood-Plastic Composites. (2017, October 18). Retrieved from

https://www.appliancedesign.com/articles/95287-the-promise-of-wood-plastic-
composites

Thomasnet.com. (2018). Wood Plastic Composite. [online] Available at:

https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/plastics-rubber/composite-wood-plastic [Accessed
14 Oct. 2018].