Study of Polyvinyl Chloride Composites Based on CaCO3 and Alkali Treated Coconut Fibers

Abstract

The present paper deals with mechanical and morphological study of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) hybrid-composites using CaCO3 as a filler and coconut fibers as a reinforcing material. A series of batches were compounded by using both, alkali-treated and untreated coconut fibers (1%, 3%, 5%, 7.5% to 10%) separately while the CaCO3 content was maintained uniform in all the formulations. The formulation was first dry blended and then compounded on a two-roll mill. The dry blended composition was then compression molded into sheets in the temperature range of 160-180°C. A study was done as per ASTM standards to evaluate tensile properties, impact strength, shore hardness, coefficient of friction, water absorption and using SEM. The mechanical properties keep on increasing till the coir content (treated and untreated) reaches 5% and then starts decreasing beyond 5%. Alkali treated fiber composites have shown superior properties to untreated ones. SEM study supports the fact that the alkali treated fiber reinforced composites are morphologically more uniform than untreated ones resulting in better properties.