Hot-Pressing Process of Flat-Pressed Wood–Polymer Composites: Theory and Experiment

The objective of this research was to develop a mathematical model of the hot-pressing process for making flat-pressed wood-polymer composites (FPWPCs). This model was used to calculate and predict the temperature and time required for FPWPC pressing. The model's performance was analysed using the experimental results of hot pressing FPWPCs. It was found that an increase in the content of wood particles led to a rapid increase in the pressing time. The model and experiment showed that the core temperature of the wood-polymer mat remained nearly constant for the first 20-30 s of the hot-pressing process. After this period, this temperature increased rapidly until it reached 100 °C, after which the rate of increase began to decelerate sharply. This transition was more distinct in FPWPCs with a high wood-particle content, while in those with a high thermoplastic-polymer content, it was smoother. Increasing the pressing temperature contributed to a reduction in the time required to heat the FPWPC, as confirmed by both experimental data and the modelling of the hot-pressing process. A decrease in the predicted density of the FPWPC resulted in a directly proportional increase in the time required to heat the mat. Validation of the mathematical model revealed a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of only 2.5%, confirming its high precision and reliability. The developed mathematical model exhibited a high degree of accuracy and can be used for further calculations of the time required for FPWPC pressing, considering variable parameters such as pressing temperature, wood-polymer ratio, mat thickness, and density.