Improvement of the dispersity of micro‐nano particles for PP/PVC composites using gas‐assisted dispersion in a controlled foaming process. Issue 3 (10th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Ying‐Guo; Zhao, Xu‐Dong; Dong, Bin‐Bin; Liu, Chun‐Tai
• Is Part Of: Polymer engineering & science. Volume 60:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 524
• Page End: 534
• Publication Date: 2019-12-10
• Subjects: Polymer engineering -- Periodicals; Polymers -- Periodicals; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1002/pen.25308
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-3888

Abstract

Abstract : Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and nanosilicon dioxide (nano‐SiO2 ) were blended with neat polypropylene (PP) to improve its flame retardancy and cellular foam structure, and the dispersal effects of PVC and nano‐SiO2 and the foaming effect of the PP/PVC composites were investigated. PP/PVC samples with different compositions and foaming degrees were first fabricated by conventional injection molding with and without a blowing agent. Tensile testing, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, limiting oxygen index testing, and vertical burn testing were used to study the mechanical properties, thermal features, microstructures, and flame‐retardant properties of the molded samples, and the samples with different degrees of foaming were compared. The results suggest that the foaming process facilitates the dispersion of PVC and nano‐SiO2, while the presence of PVC and nano‐SiO2 improves the foamability of PP. A method for a gas‐assisted dispersion technology to control the foaming process was hence proposed. Considering that the mechanical properties of PP/PVC could be retained with satisfactory flame retardancy and weight loss, convenient processing, and low‐cost materials; the technology presented can be directly applied for lightweight engineering and the manufacture of fire‐resistant material and can act as a reference for other micro‐nano processing involving the dispersion of particles. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 60:524–534, 2020. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers