Large stabilizing effect of titanium dioxide on photodegradation of PVC/α‐methylstyrene‐acrylonitrile copolymer/impact modifier‐matrix composites

Abstract

A large stabilizing effect was obtained via adding titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) into poly (vinyl chloride)/α‐methylstyrene‐acrylonitrile copolymer/impact modifier blends. A comparison between photodegradation of blends (without TiO 2 ) and composites (with TiO 2 ) was conducted. Results of color difference, surface morphology, and thermogravimetric analysis tests indicated the higher UV resistance of composites than blends. Composites exhibited a almost unchangeable tensile strength and a certain retention rate of elongation at break; while drastic loss in these two properties were observed for blends. Fourier transform infrared and rheological tests also revealed the stabilizing effect exerted by TiO 2 , and it was found that different systems exhibited different stabilizing mechanisms. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:2365–2375, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers