Improvement of Structural and Thermal Stabilities of PVC and Wood/PVC Composite by Zn and Pb Stearates, and Zeolite

Three different chemical stabilizers were introduced into neat PVC and a wood/PVC composite (containing 50 phr wood flour) to improve their thermal and structural stabilities. The changes in CIE yellowness index, polyene index, %wt loss, and decomposition temperature (Td) were monitored. The effects of type and content of thermal stabilizers, thermal ageing time, and the presence of wood flour were our main interests. The experimental results suggested that the additions of Zn and Pb stearates into PVC and wood/PVC composite could improve the thermal stability of the PVC. At the test temperature of 177°C, the additions of Zn and Pb stearates could improve the thermal stabilities of PVC by retarding the upzipped reaction and by reducing the conjugated double bonds in PVC, Pb stearate being the most suitable for thermally stabilizing the PVC. Around the Td range (∼264°C), the addition of Zn stearate reduced the Td value of PVC whereas that of Pb stearate had no effect on the change in Td value. Zeolite loading could shift the Td value of the PVC from 264 to 280°C. The addition of wood particles increased the polyene content and decreased the decomposition temperature of the PVC. The effect of wood flour on the thermal and structural changes of PVC overruled that of thermal stabilizer loading.