Incorporation of SBR-r rubber waste into PVC/carbonate systems

ABSTRACT

The functionalization of the PVC/Carbonate polymer system was evaluated in face of the incorporation of SBR-r rubber residues. The samples were prepared in an internal Haake-type mixer and the torque was evaluated when the residues were incorporated into the polymeric system. In the different concentrations of SBR-r studied and considering the equilibrium conditions during processing, the mixtures were characterized through physical-chemical and mechanical tests. In the FTIR spectra, it can be observed that the incorporation of the residue, even in the highest concentrations, did not change the characteristic bands of PVC/CaCO3, which may indicate that there was only physical interaction in the system. The mechanical strength was reduced with the increase in the percentage of incorporation of the rubber residue to the PVC/CaCO3 system, and a slight increase in the hardness of the composite was observed. With the increase in incorporations, there was a reduction in the crystallinity of the systems. The systems presented similar thermal behavior, with three stages of decomposition. The PVC system SBR-r-25 Ca-75 showed greater thermal stability (178 ºC). The increase in the percentage of incorporation of the SBR-r to the PVCCa caused a slight decrease in the TD10% and TD50% temperatures, however, for the TD90% this reduction was more effective. The results obtained in the fluidity of the systems, was of 93% of efficiency of the flow index, in comparison to the expected of the PVCCa100. Although the increase in the incorporation of rubber residues has indicated physical-chemical and mechanical changes in the characterizations, the results in general were quite significant, allowing in this present work an alternative for application in industrial scale of the PVC SBR- r-25 Ca-75 and PVC SBR-r-50 Ca-50.

Keywords
Polyvinyl chloride; Waste rubber; Carbonate; Reuse; Properties