Effect of E-glass Fibers and Phlogopite Mica on the Mechanical Properties and Dimensional Stability of Rigid PVC Foams

Abstract

In this work, short E-glass fibers and mica were used to enhance the dimensional stability and mechanical properties of extruded rigid polyvinyl chloride foams. Experimental results show that the dimensional stability increased by 50%, and heat resistance of the polyvinyl chloride foam improved as the amount of reinforcing solids increased in the composites. The storage modulus, tensile, and flexural strengths of the composites improved by 220, 82, and 46%, respectively. Scanning electron microscope micrographs show good interaction between glass fibers and foam cells and a good dispersion and orientation of the mica flakes along the cell walls of the polyvinyl chloride foam.