Effects of chicken eggshell filler size on the processing, mechanical and thermal properties of PVC matrix composite

The effects of filler particle size of poly(vinyl chloride)/chicken eggshell powder (PVC/ESP) composites on the processing, tensile properties, morphology and thermal degradation were investigated. The mixing of composites was done using Rheomix internal mixer. The processing torque of PVC/ESP composite at a particle of 0.2 mu m exhibits lower processing torque compared to that at a particle size of 7 mu m due to the dispersive resistance from larger ESP filler particles. Good interfacial adhesion exists between the filler and matrix in composites prepared via a filler particle size of 0.2 mu m, which has improved the tensile strength and modulus of PVC/ESP composite compared to a filler particle size of 7 mu m as justified from FESEM images on the tensile fracture surface of the composites. Thermogravimetric analysis results show that the filler particle size of 0.2 mu m composite exhibits higher thermal stability compared to the filler particle size of 7 mu m composite.