Thermal stabilization of polyvinyl chloride by calcium and zinc carboxylates derived from byproduct of palm oil refining

Calcium and zinc carboxylates were prepared from palm fatty acid distillate, a byproduct of palm oil refining, via metathesis in aqueous ethanol. The formations of both metal carboxylates have been confirmed by infrared spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis has shown that the prepared calcium and zinc carboxylates are practically stable while their weight losses are 14% at 393 °C and 19% at 311 °C, respectively. The efficacy of the metal carboxylates in their mixtures in stabilizing polyvinyl chloride against heat has also been studied by using static and dynamic tests. The calcium to zinc ratio of 4:1 has been found to give the longest stability time under the studied condition. The mixed calcium/zinc carboxylates demonstrate a synergism effect with pentaerythritol. The results reveal that mixed calcium/zinc carboxylates from palm fatty acid distillate are effective in stabilizing polyvinyl chloride against heat.