Surface modification of PVC by silica sol

Abstract

One of the most important and widely used modern materials is polymeric composite materials based on PVC. One of the possible ways to improve the properties and increase the reliability of polymer products is their surface diffusion treatment with liquid nanomodifying components. The study investigated the possibility of using silica sol to strengthen the surface of rigid PVC. It is shown that as a result of diffusion impregnation of PVC in silica sol to a certain degree of saturation and subsequent heat treatment (in order to fix the modifier), the resulting composites have enhanced surface properties. As a result of the diffusion of silica sol into the PVC matrix and its physicochemical interaction with the latter, a modified surface layer is formed with a structure and properties that vary in its thickness. Modifying the surface of finished PVC products without changing the inner part, allows you to strengthen the whole material as a whole and increase its resistance to various external factors. At the same time, the consumption of the modifying additive is significantly reduced in comparison with the adding into the volume of the material, and its effectiveness increases due to the high local concentration on the surface.