Abstract
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/bamboo composites have been prepared and assessed for their use in interior and exterior load-bearing applications. PVC composites were formed by compounding PVC with different bamboo particle sizes and loadings. The mechanical properties of these composites were determined at both ambient and elevated temperatures and after long-term water soaking. Analysis revealed that bamboo incorporation improved the PVC composite flexural modulus which was also observed with dynamic mechanical-thermal analysis on heating composites toca.70°C. Addition of 25% and 50% bamboo particles increases flexural modulus by 80% with dependency on whether fine (<75 μm) or coarse (<1 mm) particles were used. On water soaking to saturation, composites had water weight uptakes of 10%, with reduced flexural properties obtained for all water-soaked composites. Nonetheless, the results of this study show that PVC/bamboo composites achieve the minimum flexural performance of ASTM D 6662, indicating potential for their use in exterior applications.
Highlights
Thermoplastic composites filled with calcium carbonate, talc, and glass fiber fillers are typically employed across several industrial sectors
Analysis revealed that bamboo incorporation improved the Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composite flexural modulus which was observed with dynamic mechanical-thermal analysis on heating composites to ca. 70∘C
Flexural properties of PVC/bamboo composites under static and dynamic-thermal conditions have been evaluated by comparing differing bamboo particle sizes, 25% and 50% bamboo particle loadings, and effects of water soaking
Summary
Thermoplastic composites filled with calcium carbonate, talc, and glass fiber fillers are typically employed across several industrial sectors. The performance of thermoplasticnatural filler composites varies considerably due to variations in chemical, physical, and filler microstructure properties Despite such variations, these composites are less abrasive on processing tools and light weight and potentially offer biodegradable products when compared to man-made material-filled thermoplastic composites [1]. These composites are less abrasive on processing tools and light weight and potentially offer biodegradable products when compared to man-made material-filled thermoplastic composites [1] Bamboo, sourced from both forest and agricultural sectors, is a potential filler material for utilization in thermoplastic composites. Bamboo is extensively utilized in the woodbased composites sectors, in China and India
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