Poly(vinyl chloride)/Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes Composites: Investigation of Mechanical and Thermal Characteristics

Composites of polyvinylchloride (PVC) with single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were prepared by plastisol curing. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations revealed that appropriate dispersion of the nanotubes was achieved. The mechanical properties showed that SWCNT improved the Young's modulus and tensile strength of the PVC. The composites have higher elongation at break and toughness as well. By comparing the mechanical properties of the composites, it is found that there is a critical SWCNT loading (about 1 wt%) below which the tensile properties increase with increasing nanofiller concentration. For the composites containing 0.25-0.75 wt% of SWCNT, this situation was observed, whereas for a sample with 1 wt% SWCNT, the mechanical properties decreased due to the agglomeration of the nanotubes. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the SWCNT increased T-5%, T-10%, T-50%, T-onset, and T-max and decreased weight loss in the degradation process of the PVC. In addition, by adding SWCNT to the polymer, residual mass at 600 degrees C increased significantly. These results are advantages for the applications of the polymer in which high mechanical properties, including high tensile modulus and toughness, and good thermal properties are needed. (C) 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers