Study on thermal,mechanical and morphological properties of recycled poly(vinyl chloride)/fly ash composites

The present study deals with the development of composite materials utilizing recycled poly(vinyl chloride) (r‐PVC) recovered from waste electrical and electronic materials and waste fly ash obtained from thermal power plants. The effect of the incorporation of fly ash on the mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of the r‐PVC matrix was studied. The primary characterization of r‐PVC and fly ash was done employing FTIR, EDX, particle size analysis and XRD analysis. Subsequently, fly ash with a particle size of approximately 9.29 μm was incorporated within the r‐PVC matrix. Composite sheets were prepared using a melt blending process followed by compression moulding. The mechanical test revealed an increase in the tensile strength and elongation at break of the r‐PVC/fly ash composite up to 30 wt% loading of fly ash beyond which there was a decrease in the tensile strength. The impact strength, however, decreased with increasing fly ash content in the r‐PVC matrix. The morphological properties of the composites showed a good distribution of the filler within the recycled matrix. The thermal properties of r‐PVC also improved with the incorporation of fly ash which was revealed from DSC and TGA studies. The water absorption test showed an increase in water uptake with the addition of fly ash in the r‐PVC matrix. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry     

粉煤灰微珠改性PVC复合材料研究

研究了PVC/粉煤灰微珠复合材料、PVC/CaCO3复合材料的力学性能。实验结果表明:当粉煤灰微珠添加量为5份时,PVC/粉煤灰微珠复合材料的室温缺口冲击强度为46 kJ/m2,拉伸强度为47 MPa达到最大值;弯曲模量随着粉煤灰微珠增加呈线性增加;PVC/粉煤灰微珠复合材料的综合力学性能要好于PVC/CaCO3复合材料。SEM测试表明:经表面改性后的粉煤灰微珠在PVC基体中具有很好的分散性和相容性。     

废渣粉煤灰纤维棉增强PVC复合材料

本文选用废渣制成的粉煤灰纤维棉(FAF)和聚氯乙烯(PVC)树脂作为原料,成功制备了FAF/PVC复合材料,研究了FAF的表面处理及其加入量对复合材料力学性能、热性能和硬度的影响,并用SEM对复合材料的界面进行了表征。实验结果表明,相对于纯PVC树脂而言,复合材料含经KH550处理的FAF40phr时,拉伸强度提高约12%;含经软化剂处理的FAF10phr时,冲击强度提高约110%;含经偶联剂和软化剂联合处理的FAF10phr时,冲击强度提高约70%,拉伸强度提高约11%,维卡软化温度随FAF添加量的增加呈上升趋势。研究结果证明,KH550和软化剂联合使用会对复合材料起到有效的增强增韧效果,因此能提高复合材料中FAF的填充量。制成的环保型FAF/PVC复合材料不仅性能全面高于纯PVC,而且材料成本显著降低,为综合利用废渣FAF开拓了新方向。     

Effects of fly ash in composites fabricated by injection molding

In this study, the effects of fly ash in composites fabricated by injection molding are examined. Taguchi design of experiment was first utilized to estimate the effects different injection molding conditions and content ratios of fly ash have on a linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE)‐fly ash composite. The results reveal that the content of fly ash is highly significant and contributive to the shrinkage ratio and bending strength. For these reasons, LLDPE and polypropylene (PP) composites with different size particles of fly ash were fabricated and the mechanical properties were investigated. The particle size was changed by grinding fly ash with a planetarium ball mill. The shrinkage ratio, bending strength and flexural modulus of LLDPE composites containing raw fly ash were found to improve. The shrinkage ratio and flexural modulus of PP composites containing ground fly ash were also found to improve. Homogenization analysis using the finite element method was then used to calculate the Von Mises stress distributions and homogenized elastic matrix of PP composites containing ground fly ash. The homogenized elastic matrix was used to validate the experimental flexural modulus. The results show that the homogenized elastic matrix is in good agreement with the experimental flexural modulus. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

聚氯乙烯/粉煤灰复合材料的制备与性能研究

制备了聚氯乙烯/粉煤灰复合材料,研究了粉煤灰的不同表面处理方式对共混物的力学性能和耐温性能的影响。结果表明:湿法处理粉煤灰的效果最好,不做处理的效果最差;粉煤灰会降低PVC材料的缺口冲击强度;添加5份处理过的粉煤灰可以提高PVC材料的拉伸强度;添加粉煤灰可以提高PVC材料的弯曲强度和弯曲模量,同时,耐温性也有一定的提高。     

Mechanical,morphological, and thermal properties of poly(vinyl chloride)/low‐density polyethylene composites filled with date palm leaf fiber

This article investigates the mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) blends, at three different concentrations: 20, 50, and 80 wt% of LDPE. Besides, composite samples that were prepared from PVC/LDPE blend reinforced with different date palm leaf fiber (DPLF) content, 10, 20, and 30 wt%, were also studied. The sample in which PVC/LDPE (20 wt%/80 wt%) had the greatest tensile strength, elongation at break, and modulus. The good thermal stability of this sample can be seen that T_10% and T_20% occurred at higher temperatures compared to others blends. DPLF slightly improved the tensile strength of the polymer blend matrix at 10 wt% (C10). The modulus of the composites increased significantly with increasing filler content. Ageing conditions at 80°C for 168 h slightly improved the mechanical properties of composites. Scanning electron microscopic micrographs showed that morphological properties of tensile fracture surface are in accordance with the tensile properties of these blends and composites. Thermogravimetric analysis and derivative thermogravimetry show that the thermal degradation of PVC/LDPE (20 wt%/80 wt%) blend and PVC/LDPE/DPLF (10 and 30 wt%) composites took place in two steps: in the first step, the blend was more stable than the composites. In the second step, the composites showed a slightly better stability than the PVC/LDPE (20 wt%/80 wt%) blend. Based on the above investigation, these new green composites (PVC/LDPE/DPLF) can be used in several applications. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:E88–E93, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers     

粉煤灰对聚乙烯性能的影响

探讨了粉煤灰的不同含量、粉煤灰的表面处理剂对粉煤灰/聚乙烯复合材料力学性能和流动性、耐热性的影响。实验结果表明:随粉煤灰用量的增加,复合材料的冲击强度、拉伸强度、断裂伸长率及熔体指数下降,弯曲强度、邵氏硬度增大;粉煤灰经表面处理以后,复合材料的力学性能、流动性和耐热性均有一定的改善和提高。     

Effect of wood sawdust content on rheological and structural changes,and thermo‐mechanical properties of PVC/sawdust composites

The use of untreated sawdust as a filler in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was examined—the effects of sawdust content on structural and thermal changes, and rheological and mechanical properties being of main interest. The results revealed that the torque and die entrance pressure drop values during mixing were independent of sawdust particles up to 23.1 wt%. The extrudate swell monotonically decreased up to 33.3 wt% sawdust content. Smooth wood‐like texture with controllable size of the extrudate could be obtained at a sawdust content greater than 33.3 wt%. Tensile, impact, flexural and hardness properties of the PVC/sawdust composites considerably decreased with up to 16.7 wt% sawdust content before leveling off for higher sawdust loadings. The composites having sawdust higher than 16.7 wt% showed a benefit of cost savings. The decreases in the mechanical properties of PVC with sawdust are explained in association with the presence of moisture, interfacial defects between fibre and polymer, and fibre dispersions in the PVC matrix. Thermal degradations of PVC in PVC/sawdust composites were evidenced by a decrease in decomposition temperature and an increase in polyene sequences, which were caused by Cl cleavage due to strong hydrogen bonds of fibre–PVC molecules. The maximum of tanδ transition and the glass transition temperature were found to improve with sawdust content as a result of re‐formation of hydrogen bonds between the macromolecules of the fibre and the polymer. The overall results in this work suggest that the properties of PVC/sawdust composites were strongly influenced by sawdust content up to 16.7 wt%. Beyond this value the effect of sawdust content on the properties was comparatively small. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Electrical and mechanical properties of pre-localized polypyrrole/poly(vinyl chloride) conductive composites

A novel process for preparation of conductive polypyrrole/poly(vinyl chloride) (PPy/PVC) composites by pre-localization of an intrinsically conducting PPy phase in a PVC matrix has been developed. This process involves encapsulating PVC particles with a thin layer of PPy, and subsequently compacting this PPy-encapsulated PVC powder by compression molding. The current-voltage characteristics and electrical conductivity of the pre-localized PPy/PVC composites were determined. The change of the current-voltage characteristics from linear to nonlinear behavior with increasing PPy content in the composites is discussed in the view of the intermolecular hopping and tunneling of electrons. The tensile properties, dynamic mechanical behavior, and microhardness of the pre-localized PPy/PVC composites were studied as a function of PPy content. A percolation threshold of 0.3 wt% is achieved in the pre-localized PPy/PVC composites. This value is much lower than those of the conventional conductive composite materials containing a random distribution of PPy fillers. The samples with a PPy content of 1.6 wt% or above have high conductivity and still preserve reasonable mechanical properties.     

Improving mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride) by doping with organically functionalized reactive nanosilica

Nanosilica particles are functionalized by in situ surface‐modification with trimethyl silane and vinyl silane. Resultant reactive nanosilica (coded as RNS) contains double bonds and possesses good compatibility with vinyl chloride (VC) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This makes it feasible for RNS to copolymerize with VC generating RNS/PVC composites via in situ suspension polymerization. As‐prepared RNS/PVC composite resins are analyzed by means of FTIR. The tensile strength and impact strength of compression‐molded RNS/PVC composites are measured and compared with that of compression‐molded PVC composites doped with dispersible nano‐SiO₂ particles (abridged as DNS) surface‐modified with trimethyl silane alone. Moreover, the thermal stability of compression‐molded RNS/PVC and DNS/PVC composites is evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. It has been found that RNS/PVC composites possess greatly increased impact strength and tensile strength than PVC matrix, while DNS/PVC composites possess higher impact strength than PVC matrix but almost the same tensile strength as the PVC matrix. This implies that DNS is less effective than RNS in improving the mechanical strength of PVC matrix. Particularly, RNS/PVC composites prepared by in situ suspension polymerization have much higher mechanical strength than RNS/PVC composites prepared by melt‐blending, even when their nanosilica content is only 1/10 of that of the melt‐blended ones. Besides, in situ polymerized RNS/PVC and DNS/PVC composites have better thermal stability than melt‐blended nanosilica/PVC composites. Hopefully, this strategy, may be extended to fabricating various novel high‐performance polymer‐matrix composites doped with organically functionalized nanoparticles like RNS. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

A comparative analysis of woven jute/glass hybrid polymer composite with and without reinforcing of fly ash particles

The objective of this research article is to compare the mechanical and tribological properties of jute‐glass‐fiber‐reinforced epoxy (J‐G‐E) hybrid composites with and without fly ash particulate filler. A dry hand lay‐up technique is used to fabricate all the laminates. The properties including flexural strength, tensile strength, flexural modulus, and erosion behavior of all the composites are evaluated as per American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. The fly ash particulate‐filled hybrid composite shows a better mechanical and tribological property. The maximum flexural strength and flexural modulus are obtained for GJGJ+ 5 wt% fly ash filler epoxy composites. Whereas the maximum tensile strength is obtained for GJJG+ 10 wt% fly ash filler epoxy composites. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis also has been carried out to categorize mechanical and tribological behavior of composites. POLYM. COMPOS. 37:658–665, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Improving compressive strength of fly ash-based geopolymer composites by basalt fibers addition

In this study, ASTM Class C fly ash used as an alumino-silicate source was activated by metal alkali and cured at low temperature. Basalt fibers which have excellent physical and mechanical properties were added to fly ash-based geopolymers for 10–30% solid content to act as a reinforced material, and its influence on the compressive strength of geopolymer composites has been investigated. XRD study of synthesized geopolymers showed an amorphous phase of geopolymeric gel in the 2θ region of 23°–38° including calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) phase, some crystalline phases of magnesioferrite, and un-reacted quartz. The microstructure investigation illustrated fly ash particles and basalt fibers were embedded in a dense alumino-silicate matrix, though there was some un-reacted phase occurred. The compressive strength of fly ash-based geopolymer matrix without basalt fibers added samples aged 28 days was 35 MPa which significantly increased 37% when the 10 wt%. basalt fibers were added. However, the addition of basalt fibers from 15 to 30 wt% has not shown a major improvement in compressive strength. In addition, it was found that the compressive strength was strong relevant to the Ca/Si ratio and the C-S-H phase in the geopolymer matrix as high compressive strength was found in the samples with high Ca/Si ratio. It is suggested that basalt fibers are one of the potential candidates as reinforcements for geopolymer composites development.     

Fabrication of High Performance Fly Ash/Mica/Poly(ether-ether-ketone) Hybrid Composites

This paper deals with the preparation and characterization of poly(ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK) fly ash mica hybrid composites containing filler 5:15, 10:10 and 15:5 fly ash mica combinations loading. The performances and properties of the resulting 20 wt% loading of fly ash mica/PEEK hybrid composites were examined. The resulting hybrid composites of 20 wt% fly ash and mica with varying combinations exhibit the optimum improvement of mechanical properties and dielectric strength. MDSC showed the decrease in the crystallization temperature (Tc) with varying combinations of fly ash and mica. The morphology of fly ash/mica/PEEK hybrid composites was studied by SEM.     

吸水膨胀型PVC基热塑性弹性体的制备及性能

以熔融共混法制备了吸水膨胀型PVC基热塑性弹性体,表征了PAAS粒子在基体中的分散行为及对复合体系力学性能的影响,并对其吸水膨胀性能进行了表征。结果表明:在PVC/DOP/PAAS复合体系中,PAAS呈均匀分散;随着PAAS含量的提高,复合体系的拉伸强度、撕裂强度、断裂伸长率、扯断伸长率趋于明显下降趋势,而硬度则趋于缓慢增加;在本研究范围内,PVC/DOP/PAAS复合体系均属于热塑性弹性体;当PAAS的加入量超过40份后,复合体系呈现出显著地吸水膨胀行为。     

Substitution of quartz and clay with fly ash in the production of architectural ceramics: A mechanistic study

Quartz and clay are substituted gradually by fly ash using a triaxial ceramic formulation under simulated industrial conditions and the effects of fly ash substitution on the macroscopic properties and microstructures of the sintered ceramics are evaluated systematically. With the substitution of 35 wt% (1250 °C), the ceramic sample exhibited optimal properties, including linear shrinkage of 15.61%, bulk density of 2.39 g cm^-3, water absorption of 0.62% and flexural strength of 41.70 MPa, due to the accelerated densification and fly ash-spurred needle-shaped mullite. The microstructure analysis shows that the sintered matrix consists of three types of particles, quartz-, clay- and feldspar-like particles showing sintering behavior with respect to filling the glassy matrix with preserved morphology, precipitating mullite crystals, and fusing with the surrounding glassy matrix, respectively. The strength of the fly ash - containing ceramics is analyzed by the dispersion-strengthening mechanism and porosity and the results indicate that the fly ash particles affect the mechanical strength due to Griffith flaws when the total porosity is less than 25% and pores at higher total porosity. This study provides a viable strategy to recycle industrial fly ash in the production of architectural ceramics.     

General model for comparative tensile mechanical properties of composites fabricated from fly ash and virgin/recycled high‐density polyethylene

The present work on the mechanical properties of ≤10 wt% fly ash additions in 2.5 wt% increments to recycled high‐density polyethylene (RHDPE) synthesizes experimental data from three similar published reports. The present work shows, as a function of increasing fly ash addition level, maxima at the initial fly ash addition level of 2.5 wt% for the tensile elastic modulus (+25%) and tensile strength (+10%); a slight general increase in the yield stress (+6%); and significant general decreases in the yield strain (?61%), elongation at break (?92%), and Charpy impact strength (?55%). Combining these data with data for higher‐level additions of fly ash (≤40 wt%/23 vol%) and cenospheres (≤39 vol%) to HDPE or RHDPE provides the basis for design parameters and a generalized model for the interpretation of failure of composites of hard brittle spherical dispersant additions in ductile polymeric matrices. The relevant load‐extension plots are characterized by three behavioral regions: ductile deformation (dispersion strengthening and stress concentration), crazing (debonding and cavitation), and brittle failure (fibril failure). The locations of these regions and their transitions are a function of five dependent variables: dispersant volume, dispersant particle size, intrinsic flaw size (viz., dispersant size), generated flaw size (viz., void size), and interfacial bond strength and associated load transfer. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:1096–1108, 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Evaluation and optimization of the mechanical properties of highly filled PVC/(wood flour) composites by using experimental design

In this study, PVC/(wood flour) (WF) composites were prepared by using a counterrotating twin‐screw extruder, and the effects on the mechanical properties of concentration and particle size of the WF, type and amount of coupling agent, K value of PVC, feed rate of extruder, and die temperature were investigated. Optimization of various formulation parameters based on the Taguchi method demonstrated that the wood content and wood particle size were the most important parameters. Flexural modulus increased upon increasing WF loading up to 50 wt%. Also, flexural strength and modulus increased with particle size because of the higher aspect ratio and better quality of mixing. Use of coupling agents had a minor effect that was attributed to the moderately high polarity of PVC causing relatively good compatibility between WF particles and the PVC matrix. The optimum level of WF calculated by considering the contribution factor was 50 wt%. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

PVC/粉煤灰/玻璃纤维复合材料力学性能的研究

采用粉煤灰填充PVC,并添加玻璃纤维对复合材料进行增强。结果表明:在PVC中填加未经处理的粉煤灰后,体系力学性能随粉煤灰含量的增加而下降。用硅烷偶联剂和硬脂酸对粉煤灰进行表面处理后,共混体系的力学性能有所提高,且硅烷的处理效果要好一些。用玻璃纤维对该复合体系进行补强,填充量为8phr时,补强效果最佳。     

Mechanical Properties of Rigid Foam PVC-Clay Nanocomposites

The objective of this work is to investigate the effect of using different types of nanoclay fillers on the mechanical properties of rigid PVC foam. Four different types of commercially available nanoclays were used: Natural Calcium Montmorillonite (unmodified), Sodium Montmorillonite modified with a quaternary ammonium salt, Aluminum Magnesium Silicate clay, and Magnesium Lithium Silicate clay. The individual and combined effect of nanoclay concentration and blowing agent content in the polymer melt on the mechanical properties of the rigid foam is reported. Specific compressive strength, specific flexural modulus, and density were found to improve by introducing nanoclay in the polymer matrix. Whereas, tensile strength and modulus of elasticity showed some deterioration with the presence of nanoclay in the rigid PVC foam. On the other hand, impact strength and specific flexural strength did not show any significant changes.     

High-value utilisation of ceramic waste powder in PVC-based composite and basalt fibre reinforcement effect on its performance

Herein, ceramic waste (CW) powder and basalt fibre (BF) were used as inorganic filler and reinforcement, respectively, to prepare polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based composites. The influence of the CW content on the rheological and mechanical properties of PVC-based composites was studied to attain a proper CW filling content. Besides, the effects of BF addition on the mechanical properties, water resistance, thermal conductivity and thermal stability of the BF/CW/PVC composites were investigated. The results show that although plasticising time is prolonged as the CW filling content increases, the CW/PVC composites still have good processability under high-filling content of 50 wt% CW. The addition of 10 wt% BF improves the mechanical properties of the CW/PVC composite. The BF/CW/PVC composites have good water resistance and thermal insulation performances. The CW filling powder and BF significantly improve the thermal stability and enhance the deformation resistance and storage modulus of the composites. This work provides a high-value utilisation method for recycling CW.