Mechanical Properties of Polyvinyl Chloride Composites Reinforced with Magnesium Borate Whiskers

Abstract

To improve the strength and toughness performance of PVC, the resin reinforced with magnesium borate whiskers (MBOW ) were prepared by mixing whiskers into liquid PVC at room temperature. The effects of borate coupling agent (SBW-III) and contents of MBOw (0~30wt%) on tensile of PVC and composites were studied. The compatibility, hydrophilicity and morphology of MBOw/PVC composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy ( FTIR), surface contact angle measurement and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) respectively. The results show that both the chemical bonding and physically adsorbed layers exist between MBOw and SBW-III. The surface of modified MBOw is hydrophobic which improves the binding force between PVC and treated MBOw, and the dispersibility of MBOw in PVC significantly. The tensile and the elastic modulus of the SBW-III-treated MBOw /PVC composites increase in comparison to that of the composites filled with untreated MBOw.