Studies in Effect of Alumina Nanoparticles on the Properties of Unplasticized Polyvinylchloride (PVC)

Abstract

Abstract

Unplasticized polyvinylchloride (PVC)/nano-alumina composites were prepared using high- speed mixer, two-roll mills and compression molding. In the composite, the concentration of nano-alumina was varied from 0 to 7 phr (parts per hundred). The prepared composites were characterized for mechanical, thermal, electrical, crystallinity and morphological properties. Optimal improvement in properties was obtained at 5 phr concentration of nano-alumina in the PVC matrix. Tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus and shore D hardness were found to have increased by about 46.8, 54.9, 25.1, 37.8 and 11.3% respectively at 5 phr loading of nano-alumina in the PVC. Thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity also increased with increase in concentration of nano-alumina in PVC.

 Keywords: Polyvinylchloride, nano-alumina, thermal, mechanical, electrical