Stabilizing Effect of Biobased Additives on the Thermal Degradation of PVC

Abstract

Novel biobased additives prepared from rubber seed oil were evaluated as thermal stabilizer for PVC. Divalent metal (barium and cadmium) soaps of rubber seed oil were prepared by metathesis in aqueous alcohol and characterized by thermal methods (differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry). The stabilizing effect of the soaps and their admixtures on the thermal degradation of PVC powder and plasticized PVC was examined by dynamic thermogravimetry and dehydrochlorination studies at 160oC using the Thermomat equipment. The metal soaps showed multiple decomposition endotherms but were generally stable (with weight loss less than 5%) within the temperature range (180 – 220oC) frequently used in the processing of PVC. Using the Broido model, values of apparent activation energy of decomposition of between 50 and 200 kJmol-1 were obtained for the soaps. The biobased additives were found to be relatively effective in stabilizing PVC in powder and plasticized forms against thermal degradation. Using inhibition/retardation time, temperature of incipient decomposition, and temperature at which various extents of decomposition was attained as indices of thermal stabilization, the results from this study indicate a potential for the application of the biobased additives as thermal stabilizer for PVC in rigid and flexible formulations.