본 연구에서는 반복적인 온도변화가 목분(50 wt.%와 70 wt.%)이 첨가된 폴리프로필렌 WPC(Wood Plastic Composites)의 기계적 특성에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. WPC의 휨탄성계수(flexural modulus)와 휨강도 (flexural strength)는 반복 회수에 상관없이 동결 융해 시험에서 계면접착력의 약화 때문에 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 목분의 함량이 높을 때, 휨탄성계수의 감소가 비교적 높았다. WPC의 휨탄성계수와 휨강도는 고온($60^{circ}C$) 저온 ($-20^{circ}C$) 반복시험 후 고온에서 감소하고 저온에서 증가되었다. 폴리프로필렌(polypropylene, PP)의 유리전이점 (glass transition temperature: $-10^{circ}C$) 보다 낮은 저온($-20^{circ}C$에서 WPC는 높은 강성(stiffness)과 강도 (strength)를 유발시키는 유리상태(glassy state)로 존재한다. 고온에서 목분의 함량이 낮은 WPC가 연성의 증가 때문에 낮은 휨탄성계수와 휨강도를 보였다.
The effect of cycled temperature change on the mechanical properties of wood flour(50 wt.% and 70 wt.%) polypropylene WPC(Wood Plastic Composites) was investigated in this study. Flexural modulus and flexural strength of the WPC showed a decrease due to the degradation of interfacial adhesion between polymer matrix and wood flour by the freeze-thaw test regardless of the cycled number. At the higher loading level of wood flour, the reduction of the flexural modulus was remarkable. After the cycled heat-freeze test, it was found that the flexural modulus and flexural strength of the WPC were lower at the high temperature ($60^{circ}C$) and higher at the low temperature ($-20^{circ}C$). At the low temperature ($-20^{circ}C$) which is below glass transition temperature of polypropylene ($-10^{circ}C$), WPC is in a glassy state which brings about the high stiffness and strength. At the high temperature ($60^{circ}C$), the flexural modulus and flexural strength of the WPC with 50 wt.% wood flour were lower because of the increase of polymer ductility.
