Effect of Plasticizer (DOP) on Cell Structure and Mechanical Properties of Extrusion-Foamed PVC Sheet

Abstract

Using supercritical CO2 as the foaming agent, rigid polyvinyl chloride (R-PVC) foam sheets were prepared in a continuous extrusion foaming system. The effects of dioctyl phthalate (DOP) on the rheological properties of PVC were investigated using a Brabender torque rheometer while other basic formula remained unchanged. The influences of DOP content on microstructure, mechanical properties and density of PVC micro foamed sheet were investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the addition of DOP resulted in increased flexibility and the elongation at break of the foamed PVC sheet, while the mechanical properties of foamed PVC sheet decreased with the increase of DOP content, implying that excessive addition of DOP will cause gas escape and bubble coalescence in the foaming process. Low density PVC foam sheets with fine cell morphology were obtained when 2 phr DOP was added in PVCformula.