Strain distribution and load transfer in the polymer-wood particle bond in wood plastic composites

The load transfer between wood particles and the matrix was analyzed by observation of the strain patterns in thin films of high density polyethylene (HDPE) with embedded wood particles subjected to tensile loading. Optical measurement techniques based on the digital image correlation (DIC) principle were employed for quantitative measurement of strain distributions on the surfaces of the specimens. Interpretation of these measurements in terms...