Wood-plastic composites (WPCs) are known for their durability, lightweight nature, and resistance to corrosion and moisture, making them eco-friendly and suitable for various applications. Composed of wood and polymers like polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene-based composites are the most commonly used due to their flexibility. They are used in interior decoration, construction, and the automotive industry. The prevalent production method for WPCs is injection molding, which offers high accuracy and quality. This research explores unknown did not been studied previously on wood flour types and employs the Taguchi experimental design with MiniTab software for statistical analysis, comparing WPCs with pure high-density polyethylene. WPC samples were produced by using various weights ( 25% wt., 35% wt., and 45% wt.) and particle sizes (75-150 µm, 150-300 µm, and 300-600 µm) of three types of wood: poplar, cypress, and Platanaceae. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and 4% maleic anhydride (MAPE) were added in specific proportions to fabricate the WPCs. Injection molding was used to fabricate the molded samples. The investigation primarily focused on the impact of various independent factors on the mechanical and physical characteristics of molded samples. Significant challenges exist regarding the ability of fillers to alter the properties of pure polymers, often leading to increased shrinkage and warping when used as fillers. One major obstacle is moisture absorption, which may occur in wood composites due to the hygroscopic nature of wood. ANOVA results indicated that the type of wood significantly affected tensile strength; however, the weight ratio and particle size showed no statistical significance. The different wood types had a substantial and statistically significant impact on bending strength, contributing 71.28%. The weight ratio contributed a slight 11.66%, and particle size contributed only 2.58%. Additionally, the weight ratio significantly influenced elongation at break and impact resistance tests, with particle size having a minor effect: 8.44% for elongation and 11.16% for impact resistance. Conversely, the type of wood had no significant statistical effect in these tests. Data showed that the pure HDPE sample was the most susceptible to warping and shrinkage, while sample (Run-6) exhibited the lowest rates. Wood particles were the primary contributors to increased moisture absorption; sample (Run-6) demonstrated the highest rates of water absorption and thickness swelling, at 4.16% and 6.44%, respectively. In contrast, the pure HDPE sample displayed almost complete resistance to these issues. By using the Taguchi method for experimental design and analysis, optimal values for the influencing factors were identified to achieve an ideal balance between enhancing dimensional stability and reducing water absorption and thickness swelling. The addition of wood fibers improved the polymer's structural performance and increased dimensional stability. However, this approach necessitates surface treatment strategies and procedures to mitigate the effects of moisture absorption and ensure balanced engineering performance. Predictive analysis values were calculated by inputting the optimal values for each mechanical and physical property into the Minitab software program. The results showed that the predicted values were consistent with the experimental values.
