Structural, thermal and micro-mechanical properties of Polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and Poly (vinylidenefluoride-co-Hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) blends

Abstract

This paper focuses on the structural, mechanical, and micro-hardness properties of PVB: PVDF-HFPblends. These blends were prepared using the solution casting technique. The prepared blend samples were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and microhardness testing. The FT-IR and XRD spectra of pure PVB, pure PVDF-HFP, and their blends were observed and analyzed. The analysis confirmed the molecular interaction between the two polymers and the dominant presence of the ?-phase of PVDF-HFP in the blends. X-ray diffraction was used to investigate the crystalline size, revealing that the crystallinity index increases with the concentration of PVDF-HFP in the blend. The DSC study focused on the glass transition range of the blends, indicating that they have a single glass transition temperature, suggesting miscibility/ or compatibility in the selected composition range. The Vickers microhardness indentation technique was used to assess the effect of PVDF-HFP on PVB. Various characterizations in this study indicate that the prepared blends are compatible within the selected composition range.