Mechanical Properties of PVC Composites Fabricated via Solution Casting: Effects of B₄C and PbO Fillers on Structural Performance
This study synthesizes polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composites reinforced with boron carbide (B₄C) and lead oxide (PbO) fillers using a solution casting method. The mechanical properties including tensile strength, modulus, elongation at break, and hardness—are systematically evaluated across filler loadings (0–50 phr). Results indicate that B₄C significantly enhances stiffness and thermal stability but reduces ductility at high concentrations. PbO improves radiation shielding but compromises mechanical integrity due to poor polymer-filler adhesion. Surface modification of fillers with titanate coupling agents mitigates these issues, increasing tensile strength by up to 73% and elongation by 262% compared to unmodified composites. These findings highlight the critical role of filler functionalization in optimizing PVC composites for nuclear shielding applications where mechanical resilience is paramount.
Keywords: Mechanical properties, Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), boron carbide (B₄C) and lead oxide (PbO).
