Mechanical Properties of PVC/TPU Blends Enhanced with a Sustainable Bio-Plasticizer

The development of sustainable and mechanically versatile polymeric materials is essential to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly, high-performance products. This study investigates the mechanical properties of blends comprising polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and glycerol diacetate monolaurate, a bio-based plasticizer derived from waste cooking oil, addressing the underexplored combined effects of these components. By varying the proportions, the blends' tensile strength, elasticity, elongation at break, and hardness were tailored for diverse applications. Incorporating the bio-plasticizer significantly enhanced the PVC's flexibility and elongation at break, while reducing its tensile strength and rigidity. The addition of TPU further enhanced the elasticity, toughness, and resilience, with the final properties governed by synergistic interactions between PVC's rigidity, TPU's elasticity, and the plasticizer's softening effects. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) confirmed that the bio-plasticizer enhanced the compatibility between the PVC and TPU, leading to ternary PVC/TPU/bio-plasticizer blends with an improved elasticity and elongation at break, without a significant loss in tensile strength. These blends exhibited a broad range of tunable properties, enabling applications from flexible films to impact-resistant components. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of PVC/TPU/bio-plasticizer systems to deliver high-performance materials with enhanced sustainability. This work offers valuable insights for developing greener polymer systems and advancing the creation of tailored materials for diverse industrial applications in alignment with global sustainability goals.