Thermal, mechanical, electrical and morphological characterization studies of poly(vinyl chloride) blends with various polyitaconates and block copolymers of polyitaconates/poly(dimethyl siloxane)

Four blends were prepared by using the solvent casting method: (1) poly(mono-butyl itaconate)/poly(vinyl chloride) PMBI/PVC; (2) poly(mono-cyclo hexyl itaconate)/poly(vinyl chloride) PMCHI/PVC; (3) poly(mono-butyl itaconate)-poly(dimethyl siloxane)-poly(mono-butyl itaconate)/poly(vinyl chloride) PMBI-PDMS-PMBI/PVC; and (4) poly(mono-cyclo hexyl itaconate)-poly(dimethyl siloxane)-poly(mono-cyclo hexyl itaconate) PMCHI-PDMS-PMCHI/PVC. These blends were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), stress-strain tests (TENSILON), dielectric thermal analysis (DETA), impedance spectroscopy (IS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. The results showed that the addition of about 1% poly(mono itaconates), or about 1-3% block copolymers containing PDMS blocks have clearly a plasticizing effect on PVC. all characterization methods confirm this conclusion. The addition of higher amounts of homo- and block copolymers causes other variations, as a results of several overlapping and synergetic effects.