Assessment of the effect on the plasticizer diffusion of inorganic fillers in plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) composite films for cable sheath applications.

In cable sheath applications, plasticizer migration is important as it causes reduction in mechanical properties, deterioration, and pollution in transported environments. This study focuses on the effect of inorganic fillers on the diffusion of plasticizers from plasticized‐PVC cable films. Plastisols were prepared by mixing plasticizer, thermal stabilizers, and inorganic fillers (boric acid, boron clay, sintered calcined boron waste clay, talc, and zircon oxide) into the PVC resin. Plastigel films were cured and thermally aged at 100, 130, and 160°C. Oxidation index were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The diffusion coefficient and activation energies were calculated from mass loss. Thermogravimetric analysis analyses were performed to obtain weight loss. Fillers were characterized for their zeta potential, particle size distribution, polydispersion. Morphology of the fillers was also conducted using scanning electron microscopy. Their mechanical and rheological analyses were evaluated with the tensile and melt flow index test. The order of diffusivity was determined as the films having boric acid > undoped > talc = sintered boron clay > zircon > boron clay. The result of this evaluations is the addition of inorganic filler increases the mechanical and thermal applicability and reduces the plasticizer diffusion. It is thought that the results, will contribute to the studies on the plasticizer transition in cable applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]