The preparation of core‐shell CaCO3 particles and its effect on mechanical property of PVC composites

In this study, a novel mechanochemical route to prepare core‐shell structured particles was introduced. XPS, TEM, and dissolving experimental results indicate the formation of [(inorganic particle)/(elastomer)] core‐shell structured particles, and several kinds of calcium carbonate (nano‐CaCO₃) particles with various interfaces were obtained. The mechanical properties and morphological results indicate that the surface treatment of nano‐CaCO₃ particles and the existence of outer elastic layer will strengthen the interfacial interaction between nano‐CaCO₃ particles and PVC matrix, which results in improvement of mechanical properties of PVC/CaCO₃ composites. The theoretical calculations of the interfacial interaction and DMA results confirm these especially when the surface of nano‐CaCO₃ particles was treated by MMA and coated in succession by ACR through vibro‐milling. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 1084–1091, 2006     

Fracture behavior of PVC/Blendex/nano‐CaCO3 composites

PVC/Blendex/Nano‐CaCO₃ composites were prepared by melt‐blending method. The Blendex (BLENDEX® 338) (GE Specialty Chemicals Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China) was an acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene copolymer with high butadiene content. The fracture behavior of PVC/Blendex/nano‐CaCO₃ composites was studied using a modified essential work of fracture model, U/A = u₀ + u_dl, where u₀ is the limiting specific fracture energy and u_d is the dissipative energy density. The u₀ of PVC/Blendex blend could be greatly increased by the addition of nano‐CaCO₃, while the u_d was decreased. Nano‐CaCO₃ with particle size of 38 nm increased the u₀ of PVC/Blendex blend more effectively than that with particle size of 64 nm, when nano‐CaCO₃ content was below 10 phr. Both the u₀ and u_d of PVC/Blendex/nano‐CaCO₃ composites were not much affected by increasing specimen thickness from 3 mm to 5 mm, while the two fracture parameters were increased with increasing loading rate from 2 mm/min to 10 mm/min, and u_d was found to be more sensitive to the loading rate than u₀. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 95: 953–961, 2005     

Dynamic rheological behavior and mechanical properties of PVC/CPE/MAP–POSS nanocomposites

Poly(vinyl chloride)/chlorinated polyethylene (PVC/CPE)/methylacryloylpropyl‐containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (MAP–POSS) nanocomposites are prepared. The plastic behavior and dynamic rheological behavior of PVC/CPE/MAP–POSS are investigated. The influences of composition on dynamic storage modulus G′, loss modulus G″, and complex viscosity η* of PVC/CPE/MAP–POSS melts are discussed. The dynamic mechanical properties, mechanical properties, and morphology are determined. The results show that both plastic time and balance torque of the nanocomposites decrease, but the G′, G″, and η* all increase with increasing MAP–POSS content. The maximum value of the dynamic mechanical loss tan δ decreases and elasticity increases when MAP–POSS is added. The impact strength of the nanocomposites increases with increasing MAP–POSS content and has the best value at 10% content of MAP–POSS, which is 5.38 kJ/m² higher than that of the blend without MAP–POSS. The MAP–POSS can be used as an efficient process aid and impact aid for the PVC/CPE blend. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Preparation and characterization of poly(butyl acrylate‐co‐2‐ethylhexyl acrylate) grafting of vinyl chloride resin with good impact resistance

Crosslinked poly(butyl acrylate‐co‐2‐ethylhexyl acrylate) [P(BA–EHA)] latex was synthesized by seeded emulsion polymerization. P(BA–EHA)/poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composite latex was prepared using P(BA–EHA) latex as the seed. The effects of the amount of P(BA–EHA) on the latex particle diameters and mechanical properties of the materials are discussed. The grafting efficiency (GE) of P(BA–EHA)‐grafted vinyl chloride (VC) in the synthesized resin was investigated, and the GE increased with an increasing P(BA–EHA)/VC ratio. The morphology of P(BA–EHA)/PVC was characterized using TEM, SEM, and DMA. TEM indicated that the particles of the P(BA–EHA)/PVC composite latex have a clear core–shell structure. DMA illustrated that the compatibility between P(BA–EHA) and PVC was well improved. With an increasing P(BA–EHA) content, the loss peak in the low‐temperature range became stronger than that of pure PVC, and the maximum values of the loss peaks gradually shifted to higher temperature. SEM showed that the fractured surface of the composite sample exhibited better toughness of the material. The notched impact strength of the material with 4.2 wt % P(BA–EHA) was 11 times that of PVC. TEM showed that P(BA–EHA) was uniformly dispersed in the PVC matrix and that the interface between the two phases was indistinct. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 643–649, 2003     

Effects of carbon‐coated titanium dioxide nanoparticles as a photostabilizer on the photodegradation of rigid poly(vinyl chloride)

In this study, nanocomposites of rigid poly(vinyl chloride) (UPVC) using the synthesized carbon‐coated titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles and commercial powder of titanium dioxide (with rutile structure) were prepared by melt blending. The presence of carbon‐coated TiO₂ nanoparticles with rutile structure in UPVC matrix led to an improvement in photo stability of UPVC nanocomposites in comparison with commercial UPVC. The photocatalytic degradation behavior of nanocomposites was investigated by measuring their structural changes, surface tension, and mechanical and morphological properties before and after UV exposure for 700 h. It was found that mechanical and physical properties of UPVC nanocomposites are not considerably reduced after UV exposure in the presence of carbon‐coated TiO₂ nanoparticles even in small percentage of nanoparticles in comparison with the presence of commercial TiO₂ particles. Therefore, it can be concluded that UPVC/TiO₂ nanocomposite with low content of carbon‐coated TiO₂ nanoparticles(0.25 wt %) illustrated high stability under light exposure. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40228.     

Conductive composites of PVC and wood's metal with interpenetrating network structure

This work presents composite materials with interpenetrating network structure based on thermoplastic polymer and low melting metal alloy. Composites with various alloy content were prepared by PVC powder sintering to obtain polymer matrix with open pores. Then, liquid Wood's metal was intruded into the matrix using a pressure autoclave. Obtained composites have been studied with respect to microstructure, mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. SEM micrographs revealed good dispersion of metal in the matrix but at low loading levels it is incomplete. Addition of metal improved mechanical properties, especially flexural strength. Electrical resistivity of samples varies from 10^?4 to 10^?5 Ω m and these values are typical of conductors. The measurements of electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) shows that generally PVC/Wood's metal composites have a good ability to shield electromagnetic waves. Composites containing more than 15 vol % Wood's metal exhibited EMI SE above 40 dB in the major part of frequency range. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

PP/PVC/PP-HBP共混体系研究

研究了聚丙烯接枝超支化聚(酰胺-酯)(PP-HBP)对聚丙烯／聚氯乙烯(PP／PVC)共混体系力学性能的影响。结果表明，在PP／PVC(质量比为70／30)共混体系中加入5份PP-HBP时，共混物拉伸强度和冲击强度均出现最大值。扫描电子显微镜（SEM)研究结果证明，PP-HBP增强了PP／PVC的界面粘结作用，减小了共混体系的相分离程度。     

Mechanical and thermomechanical characterization of PVC/polyalkylacrylate blends

The effect of blending poly(ethyl acrylate) and poly(butyl acrylate) in various proportions with suitably stabilized and plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was studied with reference to their physical, mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties. The tensile modulus and ultimate tensile strength indicated a rise initially, followed by their steady decrease with increasing concentration of the polyalkyl acrylates. A corresponding behavior of elongation at break and toughness are exhibited. The various polyblends exhibit thermal stability over unmodified PVC, as reflected from their thermomechanical studies, in which the penetration is also inversely related to the respective moduli. The biphasic cocontinuous systems as explicit from the morphological studies support phase mixing at the initial stages, with subsequent phasing‐out tendency, with increasing percentage of polyalkyl acrylate incorporation. The thermomechanical parameters are in conformity to their mechanical parameters, which have been further supported by their morphological studies. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 3698–3703, 2006     

Nanocomposites of PVC/TiO2 nanorods: Surface tension and mechanical properties before and after UV exposure

In this study, nanocomposites of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), using the synthesized titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanorods and commercial nanopowder of titanium dioxide (Degussa P25) were produced by melt blending. The presence of TiO₂ nanorods in PVC matrix led to an improvement in mechanical properties of PVC nanocomposites in comparison with unfilled PVC. The photocatalytic degradation behavior of PVC nanocomposites were investigated by measuring their structural change evaluations, surface tension, and mechanical properties before and after UV exposure for 500 h. It was found that mechanical and physical properties of PVC nanocomposites are not reduced significantly after UV exposure in the presence of TiO₂ nanorods in comparison with the presence of TiO₂ nanoparticles, which can be due to the amorphous structure of the synthesized nanorods. Therefore, it can be concluded that TiO₂ nanorods led to an improvement in photostability and mechanical properties of PVC nanocomposites. The interfacial adhesion between TiO₂ nanorods and PVC matrix was also investigated. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Effects of acrylic‐based processing aids on processibility,rheology, thermal and structural stability,and mechanical properties of PVC/wood–sawdust composites

Methyl methacrylate and ethylacrylate (MMA‐co‐EA) and methyl methacrylate and butylacrylate (MMA‐co‐BA) copolymeric processing aids were introduced into poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/33.3 wt % wood–sawdust composites containing 0.6 and 2.4 phr of calcium stearate lubricant. The properties of the composites were monitored in terms of processibility, rheology, thermal and structural stability, and mechanical properties. It was found that the mixing torque, wall shear stress, and extrudate swell ratio increased with increasing processing aid content because of increased PVC entanglement. MMA‐co‐BA (PA20) was found to be more effective than MMA‐co‐EA (K120 and K130), this being associated with the flexibility of the processing aids, and the dipole–dipole interactions between sawdust particles and polymeric processing aids. The sharkskin characteristic of the composite extrudate at high extrusion rate was moderated by the presence of processing aids. Adding the acrylic‐based processing aids and lubricant into PVC/sawdust composites improved the thermal and structural stability of the composites, which were evidenced by an increase in glass transition and decomposition temperatures and a decrease in polyene sequences, respectively. The changes in the mechanical properties of the composites involved a composite homogeneity, which was varied by degree of entanglement and the presence of wood sawdust, and un‐reacted processing aids left in the composites. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 782–790, 2004     

Synthesis and application of an alternative plasticizer Di(2‐Ethylhexyl)‐1,2‐cyclohexane dicarboxylate

Cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid esters are environmentally friendly and non‐toxic plasticizers, and have similar performance with phthalates which have potential toxicity to human health. In this article, di(2‐ethylhexyl)‐1,2‐cyclohexane dicarboxylate (DEHCH) was synthesized via esterification between hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA) with iso‐octanol by using concentrated sulfuric acid as a catalyst. The effects of reaction parameters on esterification were studied by investigating the temperature, reaction time, molar ratio of iso‐octanol‐to‐HHPA, and catalyst content. Conversions of HHPA to esters were determined. Functional group analysis was conducted by using FTIR and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy. PVC compounds after addition of the synthesized plasticizer DEHCH presented similar plasticizing performance with DEHP and DINCH, as demonstrated by comparisons of the results of mechanical properties, transparency, and volatilization and migration tests obtained for plasticized PVC compounds. DEHCH can also be considered as an alternative plasticizer for DEHP. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39763.     

Effects of the reinforcement and toughening of acrylate resin/CaCO3 nanoparticles on rigid poly(vinyl chloride)

Novel composite particles based on nanoscale calcium carbonate (nano‐CaCO₃) as the core and polyacrylates as the shell were first synthesized by in situ encapsulating emulsion polymerization in the presence of the fresh slush pulp of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanoparticles. Subsequently, these modified nanoparticles were compounded with rigid poly(vinyl chloride) (RPVC) to prepare RPVC/CaCO₃ nanocomposites. At the same time, the effects of the reinforcement and toughening of these modified nanoparticles on RPVC were investigated, and the synergistic effect of modified nanoparticles with chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) was also studied. The results showed that in the presence of nano‐CaCO₃ particles, the in situ emulsion polymerization of acrylates was carried out smoothly, and polyacrylates successfully encapsulated on the surface of nano‐CaCO₃ to prepare the modified nanoparticles, breaking down nano‐CaCO₃ particle agglomerates, improving their dispersion in the matrix, and also increasing the particle–matrix interfacial adhesion. Thus, the effects of the reinforcement and toughening of these modified nanoparticles on RPVC were very significant, and the cooperative effect of the nanoparticles with CPE occurred in the united modification system. Scanning electron microscopy analyses indicated that large‐fiber drawing and network morphologies coexisted in the system of joint modification of nanoparticles with CPE. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3940–3949, 2007     

超支化聚（酰胺-酯）／ABS／聚氯乙烯共混体系相容性研究

研究了超支化聚(酰胺-酯)(HBP)对ABS/聚氯乙烯(ABS/PVC)共混体系的增容作用。讨论了HBP用量对ABS/PVC(80/20)和相同量HBP对不同比例ABS/PVC力学性能的影响。实验结果表明ABS/PVC共混物中加入HBP,可以有效改善共混体系的相容性;加入2份HBP时,ABS/PVC(80/20)共混物拉伸强度达到最大值,继续增加HBP,共混物拉伸强度快速下降,而共混物冲击强度单调下降;不同比例ABS/PVC中加入2份HBP共混物拉伸强度比未加入HBP共混物拉伸强度增加,但共混物冲击强度减小。扫描电子显微镜研究结果证明了HBP增强了ABS/PVC的界面黏结作用,减小了共混体系的相分离程度。     

Morphology and properties of PVC/clay nanocomposites via in situ emulsion polymerization

PVC/Na⁺–montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites were prepared via a simple technique of emulsion polymerization at several different MMT clay concentrations. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies revealed the formation of a mixture of intercalated and exfoliated nanostructure. Tensile testing results showed that the tensile modulus of the nanocomposites increased with the addition of clay, while the tensile strength decreased little. The notched impact strength of the nanocomposites was also improved. For systems containing clay in the range of 2.1 to 3.5 wt %, the impact strength was almost two times as large as that of pure PVC. However, those mechanical properties began to decrease with the continuously increasing amount of clay. The fracture surface of pure PVC and the nanocomposites was observed by scanning electron microscope. Thermal properties of the nanocomposites were found to increase as a result of clay incorporation. The glass transition temperatures of the PVC/clay nanocomposites were nearly identical to that of pure PVC. The Vicat softening points exhibited a progressively increasing trend with the clay content added. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 277–286, 2004     

纳米晶PVC在PVC／CaCO3复合材料中的作用

研究了不同粒径的纳米晶PVC的增韧、增强作用及对纳米CaCO3改性时偶联剂对材料力学性能的影响。结果表明：两种粒径的纳米晶PVC均能起到显著的增韧和增强作用，且粒径小的纳米晶PVC作用更明显。材料拉伸强度、冲击强度随偶联剂含量的增加而提高。纳米晶PVC和纳米CaCO3使复合材料达到工程材料的标准。     

The enhancement performances of cotton stalk fiber/PVC composites by sequential two steps modification

In the present study, the cotton stalk fiber (CSF) was modified by sequential two steps of alkali and copper ethanolamine (CE) solution treatment. The unmodified and modified CSF/poly(vinyl chloride) (CSF/PVC) composites were prepared. The mechanical and physical performances of the various CSF/PVC composites were studied comparatively. By the modification of CE solution, all the tensile strength, tensile modulus, impact strength, water resistance, and heat distortion temperature of samples were enhanced continuously. The sample with comprehensive properties was obtained using 2% concentration of CE. The composites were also prepared with different CSF content. By increasing the CSF loading, all the tensile strength, elongation at breakage, tensile modulus, and heat distortion temperature of samples were enhanced. The existence of copper on the surface of CSF improved the thermal stability of the CSF/PVC composites. Water retention value, oil retention value, and scanning electron microscope were applied to reveal the components and microscopic change of the composites. The possible reaction mechanism of modification was proposed based on the experimental results and according to the previous literature. This method reported here may provide a new way for the fabrication of CSF/PVC composite in engineering applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46090.     

Preparation of polystyrene/poly(vinyl acetate) nanocomposites with a core–shell structure via emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization

Polystyrene/poly(vinyl acetate) latex nanoparticles with a core–shell morphology in an emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization system were prepared with purified styrene and vinyl acetate (VAc) as monomers and 2,2′‐azo bis(2‐amino propane) dihydrochloride (ABA,2HCl) as the initiator and emulsifier. The optimized conditions of polymerization of VAc, on top of the already‐formed polystyrene as a core polymer, with a core–shell morphology were obtained using various parameters such as volume ratio of the first and second stages, type of process, and reaction time. The morphologic structure of the nanoparticles was studied by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The latex nanoparticles and polymers were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 2409–2414, 2006     

Effects of compatibilizer type and rubber‐wood sawdust content on the mechanical,morphological, and thermal properties of PVC/LDPE blend

This article aimed to investigate the mechanical, morphological and thermal properties of PVC/LDPE blend with and without the addition of compatibilizers. The effects of LDPE content, compatibilizer type and rubber‐wood sawdust loading on the properties of the blend were evaluated. The experimental results suggested that as the LDPE content was increased the mechanical properties of PVC‐LDPE blend progressively decreased due to poor interfacial adhesion. The continuity and compatibility between PVC and LDPE phases could be improved through three different types of compatibilizers which included chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) poly(methyl‐methacrylate‐co‐butyl acrylate) (PA20) and poly(ethylene‐co‐methacrylate) (Elvaloy). The PA20 was found to be the most suitable compatibilizer for the blend. A radical transfer reaction was proposed in this work to explain the structure and thermal changes of the PVC in PVC‐LDPE blend. The decomposition temperature of PVC in the blend decreased with the loading of the PA20 and the wood sawdust. As the sawdust content was increased the tensile and flexural moduli increased with considerable decreased in the tensile, flexural and impact strength, a slight improvement being achieved if the PA20 was incorporated in the composite. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 598–606, 2006     

PB—g—PMMA核壳粒子的合成及其在PVC中的分散

聚丁二烯(PB)橡胶粒子与聚氯乙烯(PVC)不相容。采用乳液聚合手段，在聚丁二烯乳胶粒表层接枝与聚氯乙烯相容的聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PMMA)充当增容剂制备了聚丁二烯接枝聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PB-g-PMMA，MB)核壳粒子。用熔融共混法制备了PVC／MB共混物。SEM照片表明，这种核壳结构的粒子在聚氯乙烯中的分散情况随着核壳比的不同而改变，当核壳质量比小于93／7时能够完全均匀地分散在：PVC基体中，核壳质量比大于94／6时根本不能分散在PVC基体中，核壳质量比为93／7是粒子能否分散开的转折点。共混物的力学性能数据表明，当MB加入量改变时，共混物也存在脆韧转变点，但受MB粒子的核壳比影响。     

Characterization of the curing process of vinyl plastisols with epoxidized linseed oil as a natural‐based plasticizer

In this work, we have evaluated the curing process of a natural‐based plasticizer, epoxidized linseed oil, as a possible alternative to phthalate substitution for polyvinyl chloride. Several curing times ranging from 6 to 14 min at different isothermal curing temperatures in the 140–220°C range have been selected. The effects of the curing process (in terms of time and temperature) have been determined by mechanical tests, color measurements, and microstructure characterization. The obtained results show that optimum overall properties are obtained for curing times of 10–12 min at 200°C or 8 min at 220°C, which are typical values of industrial processing of vinyl plastisols. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012