Author(s)

Owen Egharevba, Felix Ebhodaghe Okieimen, Uzoma Ndubuisi Okwu, Dosu Malomo

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The mechanical and thermal properties of solution-cast blends of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and Epoxidized Liquid Natural Rubber having 30 mole % epoxidation (ELNR-30) have been examined using Zwick materials testing machine and heating in air circulating oven (200°C) at different time intervals respectively. The ELNR was prepared by oxidative degradation of natural rubber latex using Phenylhydrazine/Oxygen system and subsequent epoxidation with formic acid and 30% H₂O₂. Tensile strength of unblended PVC was 26.5 ± 0.5 MPa. The blends had lower tensile strength which decreased with increase in blend ratio of ELNR-30. Experimental data revealed that there was greater homogeneity in the PVC/ELNR-30 (80/20) compared with PVC/ELNR-30 (90/10). The PVC/ELNR-30 (80/20) also showed superior elongation at maximum (%) than the unblended PVC and PVC/ELNR-30 (90/10) in that order. Thermal stability decreased in the order PVC, PVC/ELNR-30 (90/10), PVC/ELNR-30 (80/20).

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Epoxidation, Liquid Natural Rubber (LNR), Blends, Mechanical and Thermal Properties

O. Egharevba, F. Okieimen, U. Okwu and D. Malomo, "Preparation and Properties of PVC/ELNR-30 Blends," Materials Sciences and Applications, Vol. 2 No. 3, 2011, pp. 196-199. doi: 10.4236/msa.2011.23024.