PVC and Agalmatolite composite characterization

The purpose of this work was to characterize PVC and agalmatolite composites and to evaluate the effects of this mineral filler through thermal analysis and mechanical property measurements. The glass transition temperature, as well as some mechanical properties, were evaluated through comparative analysis with respect to PVC and calcium carbonate composites, prepared with the same composition and operating conditions. DSC results show that there is a slight decrease in the glass transition temperature of the composites as agalmatolite content increases from 10 to 40 phr. The same does not occur with composites prepared using calcium carbonate, which practically do not show any difference in the same filler content range. Among the mechanical properties evaluated at ambient temperature (25°C), Young's modulus and elongation at break of the composites made with agalmatolite are slightly higher than those using calcium carbonate, thus the resistance to elastic deformation and plasticity of the composites may be enhanced when agalmatolite is used as the mineral filler in PVC composites.