Thermal degradation of ethanolamine treated poly(vinyl chloride)/wood flour composites

The influence of ethanolamine treatment of wood flour on the thermal degradation behaviour of PVC/wood flour composites was investigated. The decomposition of untreated and treated wood flour and PVC/wood flour composites was measured using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The TGA indicated an accelerated degradation of the composite after treatment in a temperature range between 240 and 350 °C. This was caused by a synergistic decomposition of treated wood flour and polymer. Additionally, the colour of the material was measured in order to analyse the effect of the treatment. The lightness of the composite was reduced with increasing ethanolamine concentration.