Ultraviolet light aging properties of PVC/CaCO₃ composites

Abstract

The ultraviolet radiation aging behaviors of PVC/CaCO 3 and PVC/CaCO 3 /macromolecular modifier composites were studied through whiteness measurement, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and mechanical properties test. It was found that nano-CaCO 3 particles used as ultraviolet light screening agents could significantly enhance the antiaging properties of PVC materials. Due to the macromolecular modifier coated on nano-CaCO 3 particles, the compatibility of nano-CaCO 3 and PVC matrix was improved, resulting in uniform dispersion of nano-CaCO 3 in PVC matrix. Therefore, the PVC/CaCO 3 /MP composite exhibited better antiaging properties than PVC/CaCO 3 composite. After 12 h of ultraviolet irradiation, the tensile strength retention, elongation at break retention, and impact strength retention of PVC/CaCO 3 /MP composite were 79.5%, 74.5%, and 75.3%, which were much higher than that of neat PVC and PVC/CaCO 3 composite.

Design and fabrication of flexible poly(vinyl chloride) dielectric composite reinforced with ZnO microvaristors

“…Cho and Choi 22 and Kim et al 23 mentioned that addition of TiO 2 particle absorb harmful wavelengths in solar radiation and protect the polymer matrix from the photochemical degradation. 18 The study confirmed that the modified nano CaCO 3 filler is capable of solving the issues related to UV radiation aging and its influence on the mechanical strength retention. 18 The study confirmed that the modified nano CaCO 3 filler is capable of solving the issues related to UV radiation aging and its influence on the mechanical strength retention.…”

“…11,18 They form a barrier between polymer matrix and light source and thus preventing the photodegradation of polymer. It is well recognized that inorganic fillers, such as CaCO 3 , ZnO, and TiO 2 particles, can be used as ultraviolet light screening agents in polymer matrix.…”

“…Figure 12(b) shows the variation of tensile strength with filler loading before and after UV treatment. 18 As the filler loading increased the change in tensile strength is decreased to below 10%. From the Figure 12(b) it is clear that after UV irradiation for 12 h PVC/varistor composite keeps better retention of tensile strength than pure PVC.…”

“…12,13 The exceptional uniqueness of PVC is its enormous durability with an almost unchanged functionality. 18,19 PVC polymer is prone to numerous environmental effects like photo-chemical degradation under solar irradiation, autocatalytic dehydrochlorination and related decoloration, and also oxygen attack from the atmosphere via radical mechanism. 18,19 PVC polymer is prone to numerous environmental effects like photo-chemical degradation under solar irradiation, autocatalytic dehydrochlorination and related decoloration, and also oxygen attack from the atmosphere via radical mechanism.…”

“…14 Although its chemical stability, high stiffness, and inherent flame retardancy [15][16][17] are truly lucrative, properties such as low toughness, thermal degradation during processing, poor UV stability, and low heat-softening temperature restrict its industrial use. 18,19 PVC polymer is prone to numerous environmental effects like photo-chemical degradation under solar irradiation, autocatalytic dehydrochlorination and related decoloration, and also oxygen attack from the atmosphere via radical mechanism. 20,21 Thus, there is need for a variety of multifunctional ceramic fillers which are not only capable of UV absorption and radical scavenging but also produce desired high dielectric permittivity with low dielectric loss and good mechanical strengths.…”