Effect of o-MMT content on properties of Poly (vinyl chloride)/Poly (acrylonitrile styrene acrylate) blends

In this study, poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/poly(acrylonitrile styrene acrylate) (ASA)/ organophilic montmorillonite (o-MMT) nanocomposites were prepared and the effects of o-MMT content on the properties of PVC/ASA blends were investigated. Surface morphology studies of the o-MMT containing blends were also performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal stability, mechanical properties and water absorption percentage of the nanocomposites were studied. TGA test results showed that o-MMT inclusion enhanced the thermal stability of PVC/ASA/o-MMT nanocomposites and the Td50 decomposition temperature increased by 7.5 ˚C when the o-MMT content is 10 wt%. The tensile strength value of the neat blend was obtained as 32.51 MPa and found to increase as 36.01 MPa when the o-MMT content is 6 wt% in the system. The water absorption test results demonstrated that the water-resistance of the samples enhanced as the o-MMT content increased. Moreover, PVC/ASA blends experienced a significant increase in the contact angle by the presence of hydrophobic o-MMT. The weathering test results demonstrate that the PVC/ASA/o-MMT nanocomposite films can be used for outdoor applications without losing their properties too much.