Synergistic effect of talc/calcined kaolin binary fillers on rigid PVC: Improved properties of PVC composites

This study aims to develop poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composites prepared by melt mixing by using a combination of talc and calcined kaolin as filler in order to improve the disadvantages of rigid PVC, which is widely used in industry, such as poor mechanical properties and low thermal stability. In addition, PVC/talc and PVC/calcined kaolin composites were also examined for comparison. The calcined kaolin is modified with urea to increase the surface area (chemical treatment), while the surface of both fillers is coated with stearic acid for good compatibility with PVC (mechanical treatment). Scanning electron microscopy micrographs showed homogeneous distribution of mechanically processed fillers. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed successful coating of the fillers with stearic acid. Also, new bands were detected in the spectrum of urea-treated calcined kaolin, showing an effective chemical treatment. It has been observed that the treatment of fillers improves the mechanical properties of PVC. Thermogravimetric results showed that delaminated calcined kaolin increased the thermal stability of PVC composites. The results of this study proved that binary filler composites combine good properties of both (synergistic effect) and good filler dispersion can be obtained by using stearic acid and urea.