Zn[B3O4(OH)3] composites fabrication based on PVC pipes scrap via comparing melt mixing and casting procedures under the effect of electron beam irradiation

In several works, scientific researchers targeted the development of polymeric materials with good mechanical and thermal properties and resist heat and fire propagation. In a new approach, this article goals to the usage of waste polyvinyl chloride (WPVC) based polymer composites derived from PVC pipes scrap filled with fixed percent of zinc borate particles (ZnB), which were prepared via two different techniques named melt mixing WPVC/ZnB (M) and casting WPVC/ZnB (C). The fabricated composites by the two methods were irradiated in an electron beam accelerator (EB) at 30 kGy. A comparative study of the thermal and mechanical properties based on stress-strain curves, tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (E %), and tear strength were evaluated. Furthermore, the rate of heat burning (%) for the two methods has been performed. Moreover, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Infrared spectroscopy analysis (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the activation energy (Ea) calculation of the prepared samples have been considered. The observed improvements in the mechanical, thermal, and flammability behavior of WPVC were succeeded by incorporating ZnB particles. The irradiated WPVC loaded with zinc borate presented a superior flame propagation fraction when matched with their corresponding unirradiated composites. Also, WPVC composite films prepared via the melt mixing method reveal more excellent properties than those equipped by the casting process for the most investigated factors. Graphical Abstract