Abstract
AbstractThe present study evaluates the impact of partially replacing (vinyl chloride)‐(vinyl acetate) (VC‐VAc) copolymer with lignin (L) in a vinyl flooring formulation. Lignin is a natural polymer resulting in huge quantities from wood delignification in the pulp and paper industry. An organsolv lignin, Alcell lignin (AL), was utilized. Also examined is the impact of replacing the common diethylhexyl phthalate (DOP) with plasticizers having chemical compositions different from those of DOP, i.e., diethylene glycol dibenzoate (2–45), tricresyl phosphate (Lindol®), and phenol alkylsulphonic ester (Mesamoll®). The reason for using other plasticizers is the suspicion that during the service life of vinyl flooring, the attack of fungi and microorganisms leads to the degradation of DOP and to the release of some volatile organic compounds (VOC). For the same reason, in the new flooring formulations, the VC‐VAc copolymer was partially replaced with L. Besides its other functions in wood, L imparts resistance to the attack of most microorganisms. The efficiency in plasticizing AL was also taken into consideration in choosing the above‐mentioned plasticizers. The influence of the new plasticizers, their concentration, and the influence of the partial replacement of VC‐VAc copolymer with AL on the mechanical and thermal properties of the new formulations are discussed. Laboratory data indicated that at a level of 20 parts VC‐VAc copolymer reduction and 5 parts plasticizer reduction, some of the obtained VC‐VAc‐AL blends compare very favorably with VC‐VAc copolymer control plasticized with 35 phr of DOP, the formulation of choice in vinyl flooring materials. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 13:14–21, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
