TRANSITION-METAL COORDINATION FOR COMPLEXING POLY-(VINYL CHLORIDE)-POLYURETHANE BLENDS

Binary blends of poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) and polyether polyurethane (PU) containing divalent transition metal (Zn2+) have been prepared by solution blending. The physical and mechanical properties of the blends are studied utilizing differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), and tensile testing. The DSC results showed a high degree of molecular mixing of the two polymers. The glass transition temperatures (T(g)) of the blends exhibited one major T(g) whose position on the temperature scale is raised with increasing levels of PVC. The blends yielded stress-strain behavior similar to reinforced elastomers at low PVC, but at high PVC contents, they exhibited increased elongation. The latter materials showed well-developed yield points, stress whitening, and necking. Cold drawing was exhibited by the materials under tension. The tensile strength and Young's modulus were enhanced as the PVC content was increased.