Improvement of the Thermal, Photo and Mechanical Properties of Poly (Vinyl Chloride) in Presence of Poly (Glycidyl Methacrylate)

Abstract

<b>Problem statement:</b> Poly (vinyl chloride) suffers from poor heat stability. The thermal&#13; degradation of the polymer leads to the evolution of hydrogen chloride gas, extensive discoloration of&#13; the polymer and lowering of physical and mechanical properties.<b> Approach:</b> Binary blends of Poly&#13; (Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) and Poly (Glycidyl Methacrylate) (PGMA) have been prepared by solution&#13; blending aimed at the improvement of thermal and mechanical properties. <b>Results and Conclusion:</b>&#13; Thermal properties of the blends were studied using Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetry&#13; (TGA) and potentiometric rate of dehydrochlorination. The increase of the PGMA content in the blend&#13; leads to thermal stability of the blend as shown from the thermogravimetry and the rate of&#13; dehydrochlorination results. All blends exhibited one major glass transition temperature (Tg) whose&#13; position on the temperature scale was lowered with increased level of PGMA. The miscibility of&#13; blends was also confirmed by the use of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The improvement of&#13; the mechanical properties of various blends of the two polymers was also obtained