Effect of nano-CaCO3 on mechanical properties of PVC and PVC/blendex blend

The effects of nanoscale calcium carbonate (nano-CaCO3) particles on the mechanical properties of different ductile polymer matrices were investigated. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and PVC/Blendex (BLENDEX(R) 338) blend were used as the matrix in this study. The nano-CaCO3 particles were observed to be dispersed uniformly on the nanoscale in both PVC and PVC/Blendex blend by means of transmission electron microscopy. The impact strength, flexural modulus and Vicat softening temperature of PVC and PVC/Blendex blend were significantly enhanced after addition of 0-15 phr nano-CaCO3, but the tensile properties of the two matrices showed different changes in the presence of nano-CaCO3. The yield strength and elongation at break of PVC could be increased by the addition of nano-CaCO3, while those of PVC/Blendex were decreased. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis showed that the addition of nano-CaCO3 led to an increase in storage modulus and glass transition temperature for both PVC and PVC/Blendex blend. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.