What are the properties of PVC plastic and how to improve heat resistance?

12/06/2021

PVC plastic properties include thermal properties, physical properties, stability and electrical properties, etc. The physical properties can produce blue fluorescence under ultraviolet light, and the water absorption rate is not more than 0.5%. In addition, VC copolymers, glass fibers and heat-resistant modifiers should be added to improve the heat resistance of PVC plastics. Next, I will introduce the details for you.

PVC塑料有什么性能

1. PVC plastic performance

1. Physical properties

Polyvinyl chloride resin is a thermoplastic with an amorphous structure. Under ultraviolet light, hard PVC produces light blue or purple-white fluorescence, while soft PVC produces blue or blue-white fluorescence. The refractive index is 1.544 and the specific gravity is 1.40 when the temperature is 20℃. The density of products with plasticizers and fillers is usually in the range of 1.15 to 2.00. The density of soft PVC foam is 0.08-0.48, and the density of rigid foam is 0.03. -0.08. PVC water absorption rate is not more than 0.5%.

2. Thermal performance

The softening point of polyvinyl chloride resin is close to the decomposition temperature. It has begun to decompose at 140°C, and it decomposes more rapidly at 170°C. In order to ensure the normal progress of the molding process, two most important process indicators are specified for polyvinyl chloride resin, namely decomposition temperature and thermal stability. The so-called decomposition temperature is the temperature when a large amount of hydrogen chloride is released, and the so-called thermal stability is the time when a large amount of hydrogen chloride is not released under a certain temperature condition (usually 190°C). Polyvinyl chloride plastic will decompose when exposed to 100℃ for a long time unless an alkaline stabilizer is added. If it exceeds 180℃, it will decompose rapidly.

3. Stability

Polyvinyl chloride resin is a relatively unstable polymer, which will also degrade under the action of light and heat. The process is to release hydrogen chloride, causing structural changes, but the degree is relatively light. At the same time, the decomposition will be accelerated in the presence of mechanical force, oxygen, odor, HCl and some active metal ions.

4. Electrical performance

The electrical properties of PVC depend on the amount of residue in the polymer, the type and amount of various additives in the formulation. The electrical properties of PVC are also related to the heating conditions: when the PVC is decomposed by heating, its electrical insulation will be reduced due to the presence of chloride ions. If a large amount of chloride ions are generated, they cannot be neutralized by alkaline stabilizers (such as lead salts). It will lead to a significant decrease in its electrical insulation performance. Unlike non-polar polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene, PVC's electrical properties change with frequency and temperature, for example, the dielectric constant decreases with increasing frequency.

5. Chemical properties

Polyvinyl chloride has very good chemical stability and is extremely valuable as an anti-corrosion material. PVC is stable to most inorganic acids and alkalis, and will not dissolve when heated, but will be separated into hydrogen chloride. Azeotrope with potassium hydroxide to prepare brown and insoluble unsaturated products. The solubility of PVC is related to molecular weight and polymerization method. Generally speaking, the solubility decreases as the molecular weight of the polymer increases, and the solubility of the emulsion resin is worse than that of the suspension resin. It can be dissolved in ketones (such as methylhexanone, cyclohexanone), aromatic solvents (such as toluene, xylene), dimethylformyl, and tetrahydrofuran. Polyvinyl chloride resin is almost insoluble in plasticizers at room temperature, and swells significantly at high temperatures, and even dissolves.

6. Processing performance

PVC is an amorphous polymer with no obvious melting point and has plasticity when heated to 120~150℃. Because of its poor thermal stability, a small amount of HCl is released at this temperature, which promotes its further decomposition, so alkaline stabilizers and HCl must be added to inhibit its catalytic cracking reaction. Pure PVC is a hard product, and an appropriate amount of plasticizer needs to be added to make it soft. For different products, additives such as ultraviolet absorbers, fillers, lubricants, pigments, anti-fungal agents, etc. are needed to improve the quality of PVC products. Use performance.

2. Methods to improve the heat resistance of PVC plastics

1. VC copolymer

If the composition of VC (vinyl chloride) and other monomer copolymer resin contains polar or large group components, the heat deformation temperature of the copolymer will increase correspondingly, and the heat resistance is better than PVC, and heat-resistant products can be made. The softening temperature of PVC is 78°C, while the softening temperatures of copolymers of vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride, vinyl chloride-methyl methacrylate, and vinyl chloride-acrylonitrile are 100~130, 85, 140~150°C, respectively.

2. PVC chlorination

It is made by chlorination of PVC resin, and its chlorine content is 62%~68%. Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride can be used continuously at 100°C (20~35°C higher than PVC), and the maximum use temperature can reach 100-105°C, and its chemical stability, flame retardancy and cold resistance are better than PVC. However, chlorination equipment has strict anti-corrosion requirements, resins are not easy to process, and poor impact toughness restricts its application and development.

3. PVC crosslinking

Cross-linked PVC can be prepared by radiation cross-linking method and chemical cross-linking method. The cross-linked PVC products have higher mechanical strength, better dimensional stability, heat deformation, abrasion resistance, and chemical resistance than ordinary PVC products. The radiation cross-linked wire can be used continuously at 100~110℃.

4. Blending of PVC with other polymers

PVC is mixed with other polymers in a certain proportion, and the performance of the blend (fully compatible) is improved compared with PVC. Because of the compatibility of the two polymers after mixing, they can reach the molecular level and form a single-phase structure, so that the properties of the blend can be supplemented and strengthened, such as PVC/PS, PVC/PE, PVC/CPVC, etc.

5. Add heat-resistant modifier

Heat-resistant modifiers are a type of polymer with higher heat resistance developed and produced to improve the heat resistance of PVC

6. Add inorganic value material to PVC

After adding a certain amount of filler, it can improve the heat resistance of PVC. Commonly used fillers are: heavy calcium carbonate, light calcium carbonate, precipitated calcium carbonate, calcined pottery, barium sulfate, red mud, titanium self-powder, etc.

7. Add glass fiber to PVC

20%~30% glass fiber is added to PVC, and its heat resistance can be increased to above 100℃. It can make PVC resin and glass fiber bond well without adding (or less) plasticizer. In particular, long-fiber reinforced PVC has a more obvious increase in heat distortion temperature.

8. Ordinary CPVC improves Vicat

The processing performance of the material will deteriorate, and impact modifiers need to be added to offset it. When α-methylstyrene is used to increase the Vicat (every 1% addition of the Vicat is about 2-3°C), the processing temperature will be increased, and the physical and mechanical properties will also be reduced, but the amplitude is smaller than that of CPVC. An impact modifier should also be added to offset it.

The above is an introduction to "What are the properties of PVC plastics and how to improve heat resistance", I hope to help you.