Mechanical, Morphological and Thermal Properties of Diocthylphthalate-Plasticized Polyvinyl Chloride Reinforced Sepiolite/MgO

Abstract

The search for nanofillers in polymer industries to improve composite material properties for several purposes has increased significant interest. In this study, dioctyl phthalate-plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) reinforced either with sepiolite or MgO was produced in which the characteristic of composite sepiolite/MgO-filled was compared. Sepiolite and MgO were added into PVC matrices with 5, 10, and 20 phr concentrations. The product was characterized using analytical techniques such as SEM, TGA, DSC, and the mechanical properties regarding ASTM D 638 Type IV. The tensile strength of the composite increased with the presence of sepiolite and MgO. The highest result showed at the concentration of 5 phr. However, the elongation at the break of the composite decreased with the addition of MgO. The morphology analysis showed that PVC-filled sepiolite had a rough surface with a sharp fracture, but no sharp fracture was found in the PVC-filled MgO. At a concentration of 5 phr, both sepiolite and MgO increased the thermal properties of PVC with a residue of PVC control, PVC-Sepiolite, and PVC-MgO at 14.74%, 19.34%, and 26.33% respectively.