Interfacial structures and mechanical properties of PVC composites reinforced by CaCO3 with different particle sizes and surface treatments

• Published in: Polymer international Vol. 55; no. 2; pp. 158 - 164
• Main Authors: Sun, Shuisheng, Li, Chunzhong, Zhang, Ling, Du, HL, Burnell-Gray, JS
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.02.2006; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; impact strength; interface; microstructure; nanoparticles; poly(vinyl chloride); Polymer industry, paints, wood; surface treatment; Technology of polymers; tensile strength; Adhesivity; Particle size; microstructure; Mechanical properties; Dispersion reinforced material; Experimental study; Property processing relationship; interface; Composite material; Tensile strength; Surface treatment; Interface properties; poly(vinyl chloride); nanoparticles; Impact strength; Calcium carbonate; Nanocomposite; Polyvinyl chloride
• ISSN: 0959-8103; 1097-0126
• DOI: 10.1002/pi.1932

The effects of particle size and surface treatment of CaCO3 particles on the microstructure and mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composites filled with CaCO3 particles via a melt blending method were studied by SEM, an AG‐2000 universal material testing machine and an XJU‐2.75 Izod impact strength machine. The tensile and impact strengths of CaCO3/PVC greatly increased with decreasing CaCO3 particle size, which was attributed to increased interfacial contact area and enhanced interfacial adhesion between CaCO3 particles and PVC matrix. Titanate‐treated nano‐CaCO3/PVC composites had superior tensile and impact strengths to untreated or sodium‐stearate‐treated CaCO3/PVC composites. The impact strength of titanate‐treated nano‐CaCO3/PVC composites was 26.3 ± 1.1 kJ m−2, more than three times that of pure PVC materials. The interfacial adhesion between CaCO3 particles and PVC matrix was characterized by the interfacial interaction parameter B and the debonding angle θ, both of which were calculated from the tensile strength of CaCO3/PVC composites. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry