Enhancement in Thermal Property of Poly(vinyl Chloride) (PVC) by Blending it with Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

Abstract

This report presents a new approach which is to synthesize and characterize PVC/ABS blended polymers. Polymer blends are capable of providing materials, which enhance the useful properties beyond the range that can be obtained from individual single polymer equivalents. Blends of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) were prepared in different ratios (0 to 30 ABS weight %) by solvent cast blending technique using N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP) as solvent. A high impact ABS at different weight ratios was incorporated into the blends to study the effects of blend ratio on the properties of the blend. The blends were characterized by various thermal, morphological, and spectrochemical methods of analysis. Two distinct glass transitions were recorded by differential scanning calorimetry. This suggested the need for a compatibilizer. However, blends with 80/20 and 70/30 weight ratio of PVC/ABS exhibited a single Tg and that was taken as the best result. Thermal decomposition behavior of blends was analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis. Incorporation of ABS had marginal effect on rate, chemistry, and overall pattern of decomposition of poly(vinyl chloride). The interaction of polar functional groups in the two blend components was monitored by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy technique. Scanning electron micrographs indicated uniform dispersion of acrylonitrile styrene (SAN) particles in the matrix, but poor interfacial adhesion between the two phases was noticed. The impact strength and elongation at break improves significantly with increasing ABS content in PVC/ABS blend and appears maximum value while the tensile strength and modulus almost decrease monotonously with increasing ABS content in PVC/ABS blends up to 20 wt.%. Beyond this point, it starts to increase and reaches maximum value at around 30 wt.% and then there is a gradual decrease.

This Report Presents A New Approach Which Is To Synthesize And Characterize Pvc/Abs Blended Polymers. Polymer Blends Are Capable Of Providing Materials, Which Enhance The Useful Properties Beyond The Range That Can Be Obtained From Individual Single Polymer Equivalents. Blends Of Polyvinyl Chloride (Pvc) And Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (Abs) Were Prepared In Different Ratios (0 To 30 Abs Weight %) By Solvent Cast Blending Technique Using N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (Nmp) As Solvent. A High Impact Abs At Different Weight Ratios Was Incorporated Into The Blends To Study The Effects Of Blend Ratio On The Properties Of The Blend. The Blends Were Characterized By Various Thermal, Morphological, And Spectrochemical Methods Of Analysis. Two Distinct Glass Transitions Were Recorded By Differential Scanning Calorimetry. This Suggested The Need For A Compatibilizer. However, Blends With 80/20 And 70/30 Weight Ratio Of Pvc/Abs Exhibited A Single Tg And That Was Taken As The Best Result.? Thermal Decomposition Behavior Of Blends Was Analyzed By Thermogravimetric Analysis. Incorporation Of Abs Had Marginal Effect On Rate, Chemistry, And Overall Pattern Of Decomposition Of Poly(Vinyl Chloride). The Interaction Of Polar Functional Groups In The Two Blend Components Was Monitored By Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Technique. Scanning Electron Micrographs Indicated Uniform Dispersion Of Acrylonitrile Styrene (San) Particles In The Matrix, But Poor Interfacial Adhesion Between The Two Phases Was Noticed. The Impact Strength And Elongation At Break Improves Significantly With Increasing Abs Content In Pvc/Abs Blend And Appears Maximum Value While The Tensile Strength And Modulus Almost Decrease Monotonously With Increasing Abs Content In Pvc/Abs Blends Up To 20 Wt.%. Beyond This Point, It Starts To Increase?? And Reaches Maximum Value At Around 30 Wt.%? And Then There Is A Gradual Decrease.