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Role of plasticizer and dispersion methods on the properties of poly(vinyl chloride) and clay nanocomposites
Author(s) -
Bohn Samara,
Balzer Palova Santos,
Becker Daniela
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of vinyl and additive technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.295
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1548-0585
pISSN - 1083-5601
DOI - 10.1002/vnl.21625
Subject(s) - plasticizer , materials science , vinyl chloride , dispersion (optics) , nanocomposite , polyvinyl chloride , montmorillonite , composite material , polystyrene , phthalate , chemical engineering , polymer , copolymer , physics , optics , engineering
This article evaluates the effects of different plasticizers and mixture methods of clay dispersion in a poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) matrix. Three plasticizers were employed: dioctyl adipate (DOA), dioctyl phthalate (DOP), and a green plasticizer (poly‐ɛ‐caprolactone [PCL]). The effect of clay pre‐dispersion in plasticizers was also evaluated using two mixing methods: sonication and mechanical mixture. A heterogenic dispersion of the clay in the PVC matrix and different plasticization regions were observed in thermal properties and in morphology results. However, it was observed that pre‐dispersion decreased clay agglomerates size and some intercalated/exfoliated regions were also found. The clay addition increased 5% on Young's modulus for PVC/DOP with clay dispersion using sonication methods and 10% for PVC/PCL without clay dispersion. The DOA addition led to a decrease in Young's modulus. According to these results, it can be reasoned that clay pre‐dispersion in plasticizers may facilitate intercalation, but does not eliminate all clay agglomerates, and the morphology and plasticizer type influence mechanical properties of plasticized PVC/clay. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 24:E172–E176, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers