Poly(vinyl butyral) Composites with Different Silicate or Silica Dispersions

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Composite Materials

Background:

• Poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) is crucial for laminated glass due to its adhesion and transparency.
• Understanding filler-matrix interactions is key for optimizing PVB composite performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of silicate and silica reinforcements on PVB composites.
• To characterize interfacial interactions and performance enhancements in PVB composites.

Main Methods:

• Melt mixing of PVB with glass flakes, fibers, and fumed silica.
• Characterization using optical microscopy, TGA, transparency measurements, ATR-FTIR, and mechanical testing.

Main Results:

• Fumed silica improved tensile strength and thermal stability, while reducing water uptake.
• Fibrous reinforcements significantly enhanced impact resistance, especially silane-treated fibers.
• All reinforcements decreased composite processability with increasing filler content.

Conclusions:

• PVB-silicate/silica interfacial interactions significantly influence composite properties.
• Tailored reinforcements enable the design of PVB composites for advanced applications.
• This research supports the upcycling of recycled PVB grades into high-performance materials.