No abstract

This work aims to statistically assess the dehydrochlorination of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (p‐PVC) films produced using boron waste sludge, heat stabilizer mixture (Ca‐ZnSt2), and plasticizer (dioctyl terephthalate). This study also focuses on providing information about the effect of boron waste sludge (BSW), heat stabilizer, and plasticizer amounts on the degradation of the films to enhance the thermal stability of flexible p‐PVC formulations. Experiments were designed using the Box‐Wilson method. The polyene formation and discoloration caused by the degradation were measured by UV spectroscopy and colorimetry, respectively. These parameters were optimized using the response surface methodology. An analysis of variance was performed to assess statistically significant differences between the parameters on p‐PVC degradation by using the Design Expert 13 statistical program. The yellowness index and amount of polyene formed differed among the films, and the film prepared at the midpoint of all parameters was determined to have greater stabilizing efficiency than the others. In this study, an effort has been made to shed light on the improvements in thermal stability in PVC. Results will serve to protect the environment via the data provided to the producers. The use of boron waste will contribute to the environment and the economy.

In cable sheath applications, plasticizer migration is important as it causes reduction in mechanical properties, deterioration, and pollution in transported environments. This study focuses on the effect of inorganic fillers on the diffusion of plasticizers from plasticized‐PVC cable films. Plastisols were prepared by mixing plasticizer, thermal stabilizers, and inorganic fillers (boric acid, boron clay, sintered calcined boron waste clay, talc, and zircon oxide) into the PVC resin. Plastigel films were cured and thermally aged at 100, 130, and 160°C. Oxidation index were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The diffusion coefficient and activation energies were calculated from mass loss. Thermogravimetric analysis analyses were performed to obtain weight loss. Fillers were characterized for their zeta potential, particle size distribution, polydispersion. Morphology of the fillers was also conducted using scanning electron microscopy. Their mechanical and rheological analyses were evaluated with the tensile and melt flow index test. The order of diffusivity was determined as the films having boric acid > undoped > talc = sintered boron clay > zircon > boron clay. The result of this evaluations is the addition of inorganic filler increases the mechanical and thermal applicability and reduces the plasticizer diffusion. It is thought that the results, will contribute to the studies on the plasticizer transition in cable applications.