Performance of treated hybrid fiber reinforced‐thermoplastic composites under extreme conditions. IV. Use of glass fiber and sawdust as hybrid fiber

The mechanical properties and dimensional stability of hardwood aspen in the form of sawdust and surface‐treated glass fiber‐polystyrene composites were evaluated under various extreme conditions, e.g., variation in the testing temperature (from +25° to −20°C), exposure to boiling water and heat in an oven at +105°C. The compatibility of wood fiber with glass fiber and with polystyrene improved by precoating the wood fiber with a coupling agent, e.g., 8% isocyanate, 4% silane and polymer. The mechanical properties of the composites, in particular, treated sawdust/glass fiber‐filled composites, increased under extreme conditions in comparison with those filled with nontreated sawdust/glass fiber. Under the same conditions, dimensional stability also supports this observation.