Performance analysis of four plant fiber/polyvinyl chloride composites under two degradation conditions with water or seawater with xenon lamp

Abstract

To explore the properties of wood-plastic composites (WPCs) used in maritime climates, four different plant fibers (bamboo, rice straw, wheat straw, reed straw), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were used to prepare WPCs through extrusion. The composites were subjected to either seawater immersion + xenon lamp aging or deionized water spray + xenon lamp aging. The mechanical properties (tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength), color change, and water absorption performance were analyzed. The plant fibers were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the microstructures of the surfaces were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The reed fiber had the highest crystallinity; reed/PVC composites had good interface with the plastic matrix, less internal defects, and the best comprehensive performance, with a tensile strength, bending strength, and impact strength of 25.4 MPa, 34.4 MPa, and 4.30 KJ·m-2, respectively. The simulated seawater immersion + xenon lamp aging reduced the performance of wood-plastic composites, destroyed the quality of the combination of plant fibers and plastic matrix, and created internal defects. The comprehensive mechanical properties of reed/PVC composites were the best. The properties of bamboo/PVC composites decreased the least, with a decrease of less than 41.2%.

Preparation and properties of PVC composites filled with walnut shell powder hybrid attapulgite

“…On the other hand, the addition of ATP increased the thermal stability of the composites, as a result, the effect of high temperature on the color stability of composites during extrusion was improved. The aging properties of composites with different colors are different, 57,58 therefore, the effect of color change on composites' aging properties should be considered in practical application to prevent the accelerated aging failure of materials. F I G U R E 1 0 Water absorption curves.…”