SEM ANALYSIS AND STUDY OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF UV AGED PVC/CORN COB COMPOSITES

In this study, the aged mechanical properties and the modifier structure were determined. Biomaterials are often used as additives to plastics, in order to make the degradation easier in the environment. We examined the differences of the properties of samples differently aged; the ages of the samples were 1 and 3 years. The properties that were gathered from the mechanical tests, such as tensile-, flexural-, impact-, and hardness-test, show changes depending on the ages of the samples. Due to the aging, decrease of mechanical properties was experienced. The microcellular structures of the composites were studied by SEM analysis in order to understand the changes of the structures. It can be seen on the recording that the corn cob strengthens and sticks to the cells wall. The internal changes of the structure that were caused by the aging cannot be seen on the SEM micrographs.