Abstract: A cable reel assembly (20) includes plastic flanges (22, 24) fabricated from a thermoplastic and wood composite material comprising a discontinuous lignocellulose wood fiber filler in combination with a thermoplastic compound and a coupling agent.

Abstract: The within invention is directed at a composite material comprising a product of a combination of materials. The combination of materials comprises an organic filler comprised of cellulosic material, a thermoplastic polymer having a melt temperature of less than the char temperature of the organic filler and a coupling agent comprised of at least one fatty acid having at least 16 carbon atoms and at least one rosin acid having at least 16 carbon atoms. The within invention is further directed at a process for producing the composite material comprising the step of combining the organic filler, the thermoplastic polymer and the coupling agent at a temperature of greater than or equal to the melt temperature of the thermoplastic polymer and less than the char temperature of the organic filler.

Abstract: The invention is directed at a composite material comprising a product of a combination of materials. The combination of materials comprises an inorganic filler comprised of ceramic cenospheres, a thermoplastic polymer and a coupling agent comprised of at least one fatty acid having at least 16 carbon atoms and at least one rosin acid having at least 16 carbon atoms. The combination may further comprise an organic filler comprised of cellulosic material and wherein the thermoplastic polymer has a melt temperature of less than the char temperature of the organic filler. The invention is further directed at a process for producing the composite material comprising the step of combining the components at a temperature of greater than or equal to the melt temperature of the thermoplastic polymer. Where the components include the organic filler, the process temperature is less than the char temperature of the organic filler.