Thermal degradation studies in poly(vinyl chloride)/poly(methyl methacrylate) blends

The miscibility, morphology, and thermal properties of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) blends with different concentrations of poly(methyl methacylate) (PMMA) have been studied. The interaction between the phases was studied by FTIR and by measuring the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the blends using differential scanning calorimetry. Distribution of the phases at different compositions was studied through scanning electron microscopy. The FTIR and SEM results show little interaction and gross phase separation. The thermogravimetric studies on these blends were carried out under inert atmosphere from ambient to 800 °C at different heating rates varying from 2.5 to 20 °C/min. The thermal decomposition temperatures of the first and second stage of degradation in PVC in the presence of PMMA were higher than the pure. The stabilization effect on PVC was found most significant with 10 wt% PMMA content in the PVC matrix. These results agree with the isothermal degradation studies using dehydrochlorination and UV-vis spectroscopic results carried out on these blends. Using multiple heating rate kinetics the activation energies of the degradation process in PVC and its blends have been reported.     

异山梨醇型聚碳酸酯与ABS树脂共混体系的结构与性能研究

采用异山梨醇型聚碳酸酯(DB),与掺混型ABS熔融共混制备了具有不同聚丁二烯(PB)含量和丙烯腈(AN)含量的DB/掺混型ABS合金,并在考察掺混型ABS特征对合金结构与性能的影响的基础上,分别使用同种掺混型ABS以及各种商品化ABS树脂,比较了DB/ABS合金和双酚A型聚碳酸酯/ABS合金的性能及其变化规律.结果表明,对DB/掺混型ABS(70/30)合金而言,PB含量变化对于合金拉伸性能的影响明显大于AN含量变化所带来的影响,在PB含量为6.3 wt%条件下,各不同AN含量的合金体系均有最好的性能表现.PB含量和AN含量变化对合金分散相形态的影响与力学拉伸性能变化特征一致.DB/ABS合金体系均具有良好的热稳定性与热力学相容性,受AN含量和PB含量变化的影响较小,合金玻璃化转变温度与DB非常接近.以双酚A型聚碳酸酯为基础的聚碳酸酯(PC)/ABS合金及以异山梨醇型聚碳酸酯为基础的DB/ABS合金,在拉伸性能变化上均表现出完全相同的规律,且无论是采用掺混型ABS还是采用商品化ABS的体系,PC/ABS与DB/ABS合金在拉伸性能所反映出的规律也是基本一致的.     

Thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride)/poly(ethylene oxide) blends: Thermogravimetric analysis

Thermal stability of poly(vinyl chloride)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PVC/PEO) blends has been investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in dynamic and isothermal heating regime. PVC/PEO blends were prepared by hot-melt extrusion (HME). According to TG analysis, PEO decomposes in one stage, while PVC and PVC/PEO blends in two degradation stages. In order to evaluate the effect of PEO content on the thermal stability of PVC/PEO blends, different criteria were used. It was found that thermal stability of PVC/PEO blends depends on the blend composition. The interactions of blends components with their degradation products were confirmed. By using multiple heating rate kinetics the activation energies of the PVC/PEO blends thermal degradation were calculated by isoconversional integral Flynn–Wall–Ozawa and differential Friedman method. According to dependence of activation energy on degree of conversion the complexity of degradation processes was determined.     

Comparison of the Effect of an Organoclay,Triphenylphosphate, and a Mixture of Both on the Degradation and Combustion Behaviour of PC/ABS Blends

Summary: Polycarbonate Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene blends (PC/ABS) with flame retardants Triphenyl Phosphate (TPP), nanoclay and their mixtures were prepared in a twin- screw extruder. The morphological properties were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD) which showed the intercalated structure of nanoclay in the matrix. Thermal stability of the samples was studied using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and the degradation kinetic parameters were determined using various methods including Kissinger, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa and Coats-Redfern methods. It was found that the sample containing both TPP and nanoclay has the highest activation energy. The activation energy order of PC/ABS blends with different flame retardant packages, obtained by Kissinger method agrees well with that obtained by Coats-Redfern. Cone calorimetry and limited oxygen index (LOI)/underwriters laboratory 94 (UL94) methods were used to investigate the fire behaviour and flammability of materials. The reduced mass loss rate (MLR), peak heat release rate (PHRR) and enhanced LOI of the composite containing mixture system confirmed a synergistic effect of TPP and nanoclay.     

PC/ABS及PC/ABS/PE-g-MAH共混体系相容性的研究

研究了聚碳酸酯与ＡＢＳ（ＰＣ／ＡＢＳ）及ＰＣ／ＡＢＳ与马来酸酐接枝聚乙烯共聚物（ＰＣ／ＡＢＳ／ＰＥ－ｇ－ＭＡＨ）共混体系的力学性能和应力开裂性能。用ＤＳＣ和ＳＥＭ研究了共混体系的相容性。结果表明：ＡＢＳ的加入能提高ＰＣ的冲击强度,ＡＢＳ的含量及品种影响ＰＣ／ＡＢＳ合金的力学性能,ＡＢＳ能提高ＰＣ的耐溶剂应力开裂性能。ＰＣ／ＡＢＳ／ＰＥ－ｇ－ＭＡＨ共混体系的力学性能和相容性优于ＰＣ／ＡＢＳ共混体系,     

酸碱处理蒙脱土与磷酸酯阻燃剂复配阻燃PC/ABS合金

采用酸碱处理法对蒙脱土进行有机化改性, 再将酸碱处理的蒙脱土与磷酸酯阻燃剂复配, 作为聚碳酸酯/丙烯腈-丁二烯-苯乙烯三元共聚物(PC/ABS)合金的阻燃体系, 并表征了酸碱处理蒙脱土对合金的热稳定性和阻燃性能. 结果表明, 间苯二酚双(二苯基磷酸酯)改性的蒙脱土(BDP-MMT)使阻燃PC/ABS合金的起始分解温度降低, 而酸碱处理蒙脱土却使合金的起始分解温度有所提高; BDP-MMT的加入会恶化碳层的阻隔性能, 而酸碱处理蒙脱土却可以增加碳层的稳定性, 使第二热释放峰值出现的时间延迟, 且适合的酸浓度处理蒙脱土可以使合金通过UL-94 V-0级检验.     

PPESK/PES共混物热性能及动态机械性能研究

采用熔融共混法制备了不同重量比例的新型含二氮杂萘酮结构聚芳醚砜酮(PPESK)与聚醚砜(PES)共混物.利用热失重(TGA)及动态热机械仪(DMTA)对该共混物的热性能及动态机械性能进行了研究.研究结果表明,在氮气氛围中,PPESK热分解分为两步反应进行,反应级数n=1,说明PPESK在氮气氛围中的热分解反应类型与β(升温速率)无关而与材料物性有关;采用Ozawa方法得出在15%热失重前,热分解活化能的平均值为240 kJ/mol;随着升温速率的提高,PPESK热降解速率有减缓趋势.在280℃以前,PPESK储能模量值随温度变化较小,保持在较高值,温度在280~330℃之间,储能模量值降低幅度突变.另外,PPESK中加入PES会降低其储能模量值及其热稳定性.     

Polymer blends: materials with versatile properties

During the last fifty years blending of dissimilar polymers has been a major path to tailor materials with new properties in industry. Especially in the area of engineering thermoplastic materials this approach has led to a significant number of large volume products, like Polyphenyleneether/High Impact Polystyrene‐blends (PPE/HIPS), Polycarbonate/Styrenics‐blends (PC/ABS), Polycarbonate/Polybutyleneterephthalate‐blends (PC/PBT) and Polyamide/Polyphenyleneether‐alloys (PA/PPE). The commercial success of these materials is mainly related to their unique combinations of properties, which enables their use in a multitude of applications.     

Flame retardancy mechanisms of phosphorus‐containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (DOPO‐POSS) in polycarbonate/acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene blends

The flame retardancy mechanisms of a novel polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane containing 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO‐POSS) in polycarbonate/acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (PC/ABS) blends are discussed. The thermal stability of PC/ABS composites with different DOPO‐POSS loadings are investigated by TGA and the enhancement of the thermal stability could be found at high temperature range. Their fire behavior is tested by the LOI, UL‐94, and cone calorimeter. Excellent flame retardancy of PC/ABS composites have been discovered with 10 wt% DOPO‐POSS loading. TGA‐FTIR, FTIR, XPS, and SEM, respectively, are used to characterize the gaseous products and the condensed residue in thermal decomposition, and the micro‐structure of the chars from cone calorimeter tests. The decomposition of PC/ABS with 10 wt% DOPO‐POSS shows significant changes compared with PC/ABS by TGA, FTIR, TGA‐FTIR, and XPS analysis. The enhancement of the thermal‐oxidative stability of PC/ABS with DOPO‐POSS is attributed to the interaction between DOPO‐POSS and PC/ABS at high temperature, which might be the key for improvement of the flame retardancy. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermogravimetric and wide angle X-ray diffraction analysis of thermoplastic elastomers from nylon copolymer and EPDM rubber

Nylon copolymer (PA6, 66) and ethylene propylene diene (EPDM) blends with and without compatibilizer were prepared by melt mixing using Brabender Plasticorder. The thermal stability of nylon copolymer (PA6, 66)/ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) blends was studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The morphology of the blends was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In this work, the effects of blend ratio and compatibilisation on thermal stability and crystallinity were investigated. The incorporation of EPDM rubber was found to improve the thermal stability of nylon copolymer. The kinetic parameters of the degradation process were also studied. A good correlation was observed between the thermal properties and phase morphology of the blends. By applying Coats and Redfern method, the activation energies of various blends were derived from the Thermogravimetric curves. The compatibilization of the blends using EPM-g-MA has increased the degradation temperature and decreased the weight loss. EPM-g-MA is an effective compatibilizer as it increases the decomposition temperature and thermal stability of the blends. Crystallinity of various systems has been studied using wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS). The addition of EPDM decreases the crystallinity of the blend systems.     

PC/ABS blends: Compatibilization and mechanical behaviour

PC/ABS(M) blends, encompassing the whole composition range between pure PC and ABS(M), were prepared by melt-mixing in a Brabender-like apparatus. Thermal, mechanical and impact tests were performed on compression moulded specimens. Inward Tg shifts were detected for PC and ABS(M) in the blends with respect to pure PC and ABS(M) values, indicating an interaction between the component domains. This finding was confirmed by the comparison of the experimental tensile moduli with the Kernels model predictions, showing an evidence of a good adhesion between the phases. A synergistic effect was observed for the impact strength as well as for the maximum stress at an ABS(M) blend content of about 25 weight %. All the results are interpreted on the basis of an interlayer existing at the boundary between the PC and ABS phases. A preliminary investigation on the influence of the ABS internal composition, keeping constant all the other conditions (mixing, processing, specimen preparation), was carried out as well. Differences in the properties of PC/ABS(M) and PC/ABS(B) blends are thoroughly discussed. The compatibility between PC and ABS domains seems to be scarcely influenced by such a parameter in these blends.     

Enhanced thermal stability of poly(vinyl alcohol) in presence of melanin

A novel method was developed to enhance the thermal stability of PVA by using natural and synthetic melanins from oxidation of dopamine. Thermogravimetric (TG) curves indicated that the synthetic melanin changed the thermal degradation behaviors of PVA and largely improved the decomposed temperature by 80–110 °C in nitrogen when incorporation of synthetic melanin with low content (0.5–2 mass%). The thermal degradation kinetics suggested the activation energies of PVA/synthetic melanin blends were much higher than these of pure PVA. Isothermal TG curves conformed that the PVA/synthetic melanin blends exhibited more thermal stability than pure PVA. Moreover, the chemical structure changes of macromolecular after degradation were characterized by using fourier transform infrared and the results suggested that elimination reaction on the first degradation step did not took place for the PVA/synthetic melanin blends at 270 °C.     

Solidification of non-halogen fire-retardant liquids by encapsulation within porous uniform PDVB microspheres for preparation of fire-retardant polymeric blends

Polystyrene/polydivinyl benzene (PS/PDVB) composite microspheres of narrow size distribution were prepared by a single-step swelling process of uniform PS microspheres with DVB and benzoyl peroxide, followed by polymerization of DVB within the microspheres. Dissolution of the PS template resulted in porous uniformly sized PDVB microspheres. New, solid, non-halogenated, fire-retardant composite microspheres of narrow size distribution were prepared by encapsulation of resorcinol bis (diphenyl phosphate) (RDP) within the pores of the PDVB microspheres. The encapsulation was performed by two different methods as follows: (1) vacuum and (2) heat/cool cycles. The loading capacity of the RDP into the PDVB particles was elucidated. PS/PDVB-RDP blends were prepared by mixing PS with the PDVB-RDP microspheres. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) illustrated that the thermal stability of the PS increases as the content (10–40 %) of the PDVB-RDP increased. Polycarbonate/poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene)/PDVB-RDP (PC/ABS/PDVB-RDP) blends were prepared by melting PC/ABS together with the PDVB-RDP microspheres at 250 °C and then pelleting it in an injection molding machine at 250 °C and 40 t. The improved thermal stability of the PC/ABS by blending it with PDVB-RDP was demonstrated by a vertical burn test on PC/ABS/PDVB-RDP bones.     

Kinetics of isothermal thermogravimetrical degradation of PVC/ABS blends

The PVC/ABS blends were degradated by means of isothermal thermogravimetry at temperatures at 210...240°C in nitrogen. Applying the stationary point method to the data obtained from thermogravimetric curves, apparent activation energy, preexponential factor and compensation parameter for each blend were calculated. The constancy of compensation parameters points to an unchanged mechanism of poly (vinyl-chloride) (PVC) thermal degradation in the presence of acrylonitrile butadiene-styrene (ABS). Upon increasing the fraction of ABS in the blend up to 50% only the kinetics of the process is changed.     

Evaluation of the SEBS copolymer in the compatibility of PP/ABS blends through mechanical,thermal, thermomechanical properties,and morphology

Polypropylene (PP) blends with acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) were prepared using the styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene copolymer (SEBS) as a compatibilizing agent. The blends were prepared in a co-rotational twin-screw extruder and injection molded. Torque rheometry, Izod impact strength, tensile strength, heat deflection temperature (HDT), differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, and scanning electron microscopy properties were investigated. The results showed that there was an increase in the torque of PA6/ABS blends with SEBS addition. The PP/ABS/SEBS (60/25/15%) blend showed significant improvement in impact strength, elongation at break, thermal stability, and HDT compared with neat PP. The elastic modulus and tensile strength have not been significantly reduced. The degree of crystallinity and the crystalline melting temperature increased, indicating a nucleating effect of ABS. The PP/ABS blends compatibilized with 12.5% and 15% SEBS presented morphology with well-distributed fine ABS particles with good interfacial adhesion. As a result, thermal stability has been improved over pure PP and the mechanical properties have been increased, especially impact strength. In general, the addition of the SEBS copolymer as the PP/ABS blend compatibilizer has the advantage of refining the blend's morphology, increasing its toughness and thermal stability, without jeopardizing other PP properties.     

Effect of poly(bisphenol A acryloxyethyl phosphate) on the activation energy in thermal degradation of urethane acrylate

Poly(bisphenol A acryloxyethyl phosphate) (BPAAEP) was blended in different ratios with a commercial urethane acrylate to obtain a series of UV curable flame-retardant resins. The thermal oxidative degradation mechanism of their cured films in air were studied by thermogravimetric analysis at several heating rates between 5 and 20°C min⁻¹. The activation energies were determined using Kissinger method, Friedman method, Flynn-Wall method, Horowitz-Metzger method and Ozawa method. The results showed that the activation energies of the blends were lower than that of pure urethane acrylate at lower degree of degradation, whereas the higher activation energies were obtained at higher degree of degradation.     

Effect of cyclic loading on tensile properties of PC and PC/ABS

The effects of cyclic loading on tensile fracture properties of polycarbonate (PC) and the alloy of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (PC/ABS) are experimentally investigated in the paper. Two digital cameras are used to record simultaneously the tensile deformation of specimens and the large deformation and the necking process of these polymers are discussed. Two lateral contractions are not identical at the later tensile stages and the contraction ratios in each lateral direction are related with the tensile strains in axial direction on width and thickness surface. The curvature radiuses at the minimum section during necking process are shown. The volume increases during necking process and then decreases gradually. The yield stress and fracture stress of PC/ABS are lower than that of PC. The degradation of the fracture stress and fracture strain due to the application of cyclic loading is larger for PC than that for PC/ABS, and these can be used to explain qualitatively why PC has higher fatigue crack growth rate than PC/ABS.     

Mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP) + high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) binary blends: Non‐isothermal degradation kinetics of PP + HDPE (80/20) Blends

In this study, the mechanical properties and non‐isothermal degradation kinetics of polypropylene (PP), high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) with dilauroyl peroxide and their blends in different mixture ratios were investigated. The effects of adding dilauroyl peroxide (0–0.20 wt%) on the mechanical and thermal properties of PP + HDPE blends have been studied. On the other hand, the kinetics of the thermal degradation and thermal oxidative degradation of PP + HDPE (80/20 wt%) blends were studied in different atmospheres, to analyze their thermal stability. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters such as the activation energy, E_a, the pre‐exponential factor, A, the reaction order, n, the entropy change, the enthalpy change, and the free energies of activated complex related to PP, HDPE, and blend systems were calculated by means of the several methods on the basis of the single heating rate. A computer program was developed for automatically processing the data to estimate the reaction parameters by using different models. Most appropriate method was determined for each decomposition step according to the least‐squares linear regression. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermal stability of acrylonitrile/chlorosulphonated polyethylene rubber blend

The properties of chlorosulphonated polyethylene (CSM) rubber, acrylonitrile rubber (NBR) and their blend (50/50 w/w) were studied. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) studies supported that CSM/NBR rubber blend is self curable, when cross-linking takes place between acrylonitrile groups of NBR and –SO₂Cl groups or in situ generated allyl chloride moieties of CSM. The thermal stability of vulcanizates was analyzed in nitrogen by thermogravimetry. It was found that the initial degradation temperature of elastomer based on CSM rubber is lower than of pure NBR rubber. By adding NBR to CSM rubbers, the degradation temperature of crosslinked material increased, indicating higher thermal stability. The activation energy for the degradation are determined using the Arrhenius equation The activation energies for the rubber blends are higher than for elastomers based on pure rubbers. It was found that the mass loss of the blends at any temperature was between those of the pure rubbers. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used for the glass transition temperature determination. It is estimated thermodynamic immiscibility of NBR/CSM blend based on noticed two different glass transition temperatures, corresponding to CSM and NBR rubbers.     

Morphology, thermal stability and visco-elastic properties of polystyrene-poly(vinyl chloride) blends

The morphology, thermal and mechanical properties of polystyrene (PS) blends with 2.5-20 wt% of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) have been studied. The measurement of the glass transition temperature (T_g) from the maxima of tan δ data using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis showed that the blends were incompatible and homogenously distributed only within a limited range of PVC contents in PS. The value of the storage modulus was found to increase initially but then decreased with further addition of PVC in the matrix. Distribution of the phases in the virgin and degraded blends was also studied through scanning electron microscopy. The thermogravimetric studies on these blends were carried out under inert atmosphere from ambient to 800 °C at different heating rates varying from 2.5 to 20 °C/min. The thermal decomposition temperatures of blends were found higher than that of pure PS which indicated the stabilizing effects of PVC on PS. The effect varies with the heating rates and the composition of the blends and the phenomenon has been explained due to changing morphology of the blends with composition and the degradation time which affect the interfacial interaction between the degrading products from the polymer components. The kinetic parameters of the degradation process calculated from a method described by Ozawa have been reported for these blends.