Measurements of PVC composite with Corn Cob flour additive
Abstract
Mechanical and thermo-analytical analysis carried out on the composites. In order to determine the relationships between structure and properties of composite, it is necessary to carry out different measurements. The tests were: tensile test, hardness test, thermal conductivity SEM, DSC and DMA. The results showed that the mixtures were inhomogeneous. The tensile and hardness test resulted that the composite has stronger structure and an increase in the strength values. From the thermo-analytical analysis the corn cob additive effect in the composite structure can be observed. The result of the DMA shows that the additive works as inactive filler, and does not change the glass transition temperature of the rigid PVC foam.
Keywords
Download Options
Introduction
Due to continuous development and in order to fulfill the needs of customers the production of polymer composites are becoming highly common [1]. In construction PVC composites are met [2]. PVC is a hardly degradable bulk plastic; with the use of natural additives this ability can be changed. The production of composites propose many advantages such as higher strength and aesthetic [3]. Also many disadvantages rise like weak impact strength due to weak adhesion and water uptake [4]. During PVC composite foaming the corn cob additive differs the structure of the foam highly. Foam structure also differs based on the density of the composite and the presence of additives [5]. In this paper the mechanical and structural abilities of the resulting foam structure is to be determined.
Conclusion
The PVC-Corn cob composites were made successfully. The mechanical- and thermo analytical properties of the composites were improved with corn cob.
(1) The corn cob flour modified the PVCs main properties.
(2) The fillers were dispersed unequally in the rigid PVC.
(3) The reinforcement effects were appreciable; the tensile strength values were higher.
(4) The size and shape of the cells depend on the density and the filler’s sizes.
(5) Corn cob additives work as an inactive filler, and does not changes the glass transition of composite.
(6) On the result of the DSC analysis the highest processing temperature of the composite can be observed. The processing of PVCs super molecular structure was carried out in 85%.