Enhancement of the thermal stability, mechanical properties and morphologies of recycled PVC/clay nanocomposites

Recycled PVC/clay nanocomposites were prepared by melt mixing of recycled PVCs and modified clays. Characterization of the nanostructure of the nanocomposites was carried out using wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). In case of 10wt.%, the characteristic peak of modified clay was perfectly disappeared, because of aids of plasticizers as co-intercalator. Thermal stability was evaluated from the thermal decomposition behaviors and linear dimension changes by TGA and TMA system. Coefficients of thermal expansion of the nanocomposites were also observed from TMA analysis. Dynamic mechanical properties were evaluated using DMA system. The thermal and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were improved simultaneously for varied clay loadings, 1,3,5,10wt.%, compared to recycled PVC. Especially, the storage modulus of the nanocomposites with 10wt.% clay loading was increased 11 times compared to that of recycled PVC.