Abstract
In this study, composite materials were obtained after mixing hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) wood sanding dust and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in a twin-screw extruder. Tensile, bending and hardness tests were carried out to determine the mechanical properties of the composites. In addition to these, Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) analysis and Limit Oxygen Index (LOI) tests were performed to determine the thermal properties of composites. According to the mechanical test results, the highest tensile strength value was determined 27.92 MPa in the 20% wood sanding dust added sample. In addition, the lowest tensile strength value was determined as 26.17 MPa in the 5% sanding dust added composite sample. According to the bending strength test results, the highest bending strength value was determined as 40.72 MPa in the 20% sanding dust added composite sample. In addition, the lowest bending strength was determined as 34.82 MPa and 34.74 MPa values, respectively, in neat polymer and 5% wood sanding dust added samples. According to the results of DSC analysis, a decrease in the crystallinity values was observed as a result of adding wood sanding dust into the polymer matrix. According to the results of the LOI test, with the increase in the wood sanding dust ratio in the composite mixture, the amount of oxygen required for the combustion of the composites increased.