Processabilities & mechanical properties of the biodegradable LDPE/modified starch blends

An investigation of the biodegradable polymers based on starch has been accomplished. Starch needs to be modified before blending with low density polyethylene (LDPE) because of its hydrophilicity. Three kinds of modification methods were applied to obtain the compatibility to starchLDPE blends. The first one was the esterification of the hydroxyl group of starch with acetic anhydride. The second was the copolymerization of acrylonitrile and styrene onto starch. The last was the esterification reaction of the hydroxyl group of starch with three kinds of ionomers. The tensile strength, % elongation, Young’s modulus, and shear viscosities of blends of the modified starch and LDPE were examined. Ionomer-treated starch showed better compatibility with LDPE to give better performances than other blends.     

LDPE/POE共混物的结晶行为和力学性能

采用熔融共混法制备了低密度聚乙烯（LDPE）／聚烯烃弹性体（POE）共混物,通过差示扫描量热法和广角X射线衍射表征了共？昆物的结晶行为及LDPE、POE结晶的相互影响,研究了共混物的力学性能。随着POE用量的增加,LDPE的结品度稍有减小,结晶的完善性和均一性变差,晶粒尺寸逐渐变小;LDPE在结晶过程中出现了二次结晶;共混物的硬度、定伸应力和熔体流动速率均逐渐减小,拉伸断裂应变则逐渐增加。当w（POE）为30％时,材料的拉伸强度达到最大值,为21.5MPa。随着LDPE含量的增加,POE的结晶度逐渐减小。     

Effect of EPDM on LDPE/LLDPE blends: mechanical properties

Blends of two polyethylenes and an elastomer were prepared to investigate the effect of the latter polymer. The blends contain equal parts of low density (LDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), and ethylene–propylene–diene rubber (EPDM) with variable content ranging from 0 to 17.5%. Melt-mixed blends were prepared using a single-screw extruder. The influence on the mechanical properties of the following factors were analyzed: EPDM content, stretching rate in the range from 10 to 750 mm/min, and two cooling conditions. From the equilibrium torque the miscibility was analyzed. The structure exhibited by the stress–strain (–) curve of the polyethylenes blend is reduced with the addition of the elastomeric phase, and the ultimate properties increase because the amorphous phase becomes softer and reduces its capability to transmit the applied stress to the crystalline particles. The slope of the – curve in the strain hardening region shows a maximum value at the stretching rate ∼ 50–80 mm/min, which is explained partially in terms of the strain-induced crystallization of the polyethylene components. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 65: 677-683, 1997     

LDPE/starch blends compatibilized with PE-g-MA copolymers

In the present study, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and plasticized starch (PLST) blends, containing different percentages of PLST, were prepared. In these blends, two different polyethylene/maleic anhydride graft (PE-g-MA) copolymers containing 0.4 and 0.8 mol % anhydride groups, respectively, were added as compatibilizers at 10 wt % PLST. The compatibilization reaction was followed by FTIR spectroscopy. The morphology of the blends was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that as the amount of anhydride groups in the copolymers increases a finer dispersion of PLST in the LDPE matrix is achieved. This is reflected in the mechanical properties of the blends and especially in the tensile strength. The blends compatibilized with the PE-g-MA copolymer containing 0.8 mol % anhydride groups have a higher tensile strength, which in all blends, even in those containing 20 and 30 wt % PLST, is similar to that of pure LDPE. The biodegradation of the blends followed the exposure to activated sludge. It was found that the compatibilized blends have only a slightly lower biodegradation rate compared to the uncompatibilized blends. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 70: 1503–1521, 1998     

Rheological and thermal behavior of starch/LDPE blends containing EAA

The composite casts were prepared from native corn starch and low density polyethylene. Ethylene‐arylic acid copolymer (EAA) was added as compabilizer and glycerol was added as plasticizer in the formulation. Their rheological and thermal properties were evaluated by capillary rheometry, differential scanning calorimerty, and thermogravimetry analysis. The results show that the viscosity of the blend has an Arrhenius dependence on temperature and a power law dependence on shear rate. The power law exponents (around 0.5) are less than unity, indicating that the melts are shear thinning. The thermal behavior of these materials is evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The water evaporation process observed by DSC in starch is also observed in the blends. Degradation mechanisms of the blends are identified by means of TGA, being assigned to the mass loss due to the plasticizer leaching, and to the degradation of the starch and synthetic polymer fractions. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

APAM/淀粉共混薄膜力学性能及粘合强度的研究

以丙烯酰胺(AM)、丙烯酸(AA)和丙烯酰氧乙基三甲基氯化铵(DAC)为共聚合单体,通过水溶液聚合合成两性聚丙烯酰胺(APAM),然后探索了它与淀粉的共混比对纤维粘合强度的影响,研究了这种共混物的薄膜性能。研究结果表明,APAM与淀粉共混后能够明显改善对棉和涤纶纤维的粘合强度,随着APAM用量的增加,对棉和涤纶纤维粘合强度逐渐增大;通过与APAM的共混,能够降低淀粉膜的脆性,对淀粉膜具有增韧作用;并能缩短淀粉膜的水溶时间、增加吸湿率和水溶胀率,有利于纺织退浆。     

LLDPE/LDPE blends. I. Rheological,thermal, and mechanical properties

Structure and mechanical properties were studied for the binary blends of a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) (ethylene‐1‐hexene copolymer; density = 900 kg m⁻³) with narrow short chain branching distribution and a low density polyethylene (LDPE) which is characterized by the long chain branches. It was found by the rheological measurements that the LLDPE and the LDPE are miscible in the molten state. The steady‐state rheological properties of the blends can be predicted using oscillatory shear moduli. Furthermore, the crystallization temperature of LDPE is higher than that of the LLDPE and is found to act as a nucleating agent for the crystallization of the LLDPE. Consequently, the melting temperature, degree of crystallinity, and hardness of the blend increase rapidly with increases in the LDPE content in the blend, even though the amount of the LDPE in the blend is small. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 3153–3159, 1999     

Polyethylene-octene elastomer/starch blends: miscibility,morphology and mechanical properties

In this paper, polyethylene-octene elastomer (POE) and starch blends were studied. The compatibility beyween POE and starch was improved by adding polyethylene-octene/maleic anhydride graft copolymer (POE-MA) as compatibilizer. The compatibilization reaction was followed by FTIR spectra. The morphology of the blends was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the size of the starch phase increased with an increasing content of starch for the blends. The addition of POE-MA can lower the size of the starch phase in the POE matrix, and this was due to the formation of an ester carbonyl function group by the chemical reaction between the anhydride groups and hydroxyl groups on starch. This was reflected in the mechanical properties of the blends, the addition of POE-MA compatibilizer can improve the mechanical properties of POE/starch blends. The thermogravimetric analysis of POE/starch blends was also conducted.     

Thermal and rheological properties of mLLDPE/LDPE blends

The thermal and rheological properties of two types of metallocene‐catalyzed linear low‐density PEs (mLLDPEs) and two LDPEs, as well as their blends, were studied using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) measurements and rheometry. The DSC results showed that the mLLDPE‐1 based on the hexene comonomer is immiscible with both LDPEs in crystalline states, whereas the mLLDPE‐2 based on the octene comonomer is miscible with the LDPEs. This suggests that increasing the length of short chains in mLLDPEs can promote the miscibility of mLLDPE/LDPE blends. The linear viscoelastic properties confirmed the immiscibility of the mLLDPE‐1 with the LDPEs in the molten state, and the miscibility of mLLDPE‐2 with LDPEs. In addition, the Palierne [1] emulsion model provided good predictions of the linear viscoelastic data for both miscible and immiscible PE blends. However, as expected, the low‐frequency data showed a clear influence of the interfacial tension on the elastic modulus of the blends for the immiscible blends. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 45:1254–1264, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers     

From microstructure to mechanical properties of compatibilized polylactide/thermoplastic starch blends

Bio‐degradable polymer blends of polylactic acid/thermoplastic starch (PLA/TPS) were prepared via direct melt blending varying order of mixing of ingredients fed into the extruder. The effect of interface interactions between PLA and TPS in the presence of maleic anhydride (MA) compatibilizer on the microstructure and mechanical properties was then investigated. The prepared PLA/TPS blends were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile, and rheological measurements. Morphology of PLA/TPS shows that the introduction of MA into the polymer matrix increases the presence of TPS at the interface region. DSC results revealed the reduction of glass transition temperature of PLA with contributions from both TPS and MA. The crystallization temperature was decreased by the addition of MA leading to reduction of overall crystallization of PLA/TPS blend. The mechanical measurements show that increasing MA content up to 2 wt % enhances the modulus of PLA/TPS more than 45% compared to the corresponding blends free of MA compatibilizer. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44734.     

Mechanical properties of LDPE/granular starch composites

The mechanical properties of composites of granular starch and low density polyethylene (PE) have been studied as functions of starch volume fraction ?, granule size, and presence of compatibilizer. Property–volume fraction relationships were interpreted using various theories of composite properties. The dependence of elongation (? ～ ?^1/3) and tensile strength (σ ～ ?^2/3) agree with theoretical predictions, although the proportionality constants are less negative than theoretical values. The addition of compatibilzer (ethylene-co-acrylic acid copolymer, EAA) did not significantly affect the elongation or tensile strength, but significantly increased the composite tensile modulus. The cornstarch/PE moduli could be described by the Kerner or Halpin-Tsai equations. Analysis of the composite moduli data using the Halpin-Tsai equation allowed the estimation of the modulus of granular starch. The value obtained, 15 GPa, is considerably greater than most unfilled synthetic polymers of commercial importance, but significantly lower than the modulus of cellulose. It is also greater than a previously reported value of 2.7 GPa. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

贮存稳定的LDPE/SBS共混物改性沥青的动态力学性能

利用应变控制流变仪对LDPE／SBS共混物改性沥青的动态力学性能进行了研究，考察了反应剂及其用量，LDPE／SBS共混物用量等对改性沥青高温性能的影响。结果表明，LDPE／SBS共混物的加入提高了原始沥青的高温模量，同时降低了其损耗角正切值，并且随着共混物用量的增加。沥青的高温性能也随之提高，温度敏感性也显著减弱。反应剂的加入使得沥青高温性能得到了更进一步的改善。改善程度随反应剂用量的增加而更加明显。     

Effect of glycerol on thermal and mechanical properties of polyvinyl alcohol/starch blends

The paper reports the results of studies on the effect of glycerol content on thermal, mechanical, and dynamic mechanical properties of blends of starch and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Degree of crystallinity of the starch/PVA blends (4 g/4 g ratio) remains almost constant up to 3.78 g of glycerol as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and x‐ray diffraction studies. At higher loading of glycerol the crystallinity decreases. DTG thermograms revealed occurring of one maximum degradation temperature closer to that of starch in blends containing up to 3.78 g of glycerol. At higher glycerol content there gradually occur two distinct peaks of maximum degradation temperature, one occurring close to that of starch and other occurring close to the PVA peak, indicating phase separation of the blend components. Results of stress–strain studies indicate lowering of tensile properties and energy at break particularly at higher glycerol content (beyond 3.78 g). Dynamic mechanical studies reveal a sharp drop in dynamic modulus at higher glycerol content at all temperatures. The blend with low glycerol content shows transitions of starch, while the blend containing high glycerol content beyond 3.78 g display the transitions due to both starch and PVA. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Plasma treatment for enhancing mechanical and thermal properties of biodegradable PVA/starch blends

Two series of biodegradaable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/starch blends, i.e., PVA with/without plasma treatment (PP/P series), were produced by single‐screw extruder. The influences of plasma pretreatment and PVA content on the tensile properties, thermal behaviors, melt flow index, and biodegradability of blends were investigated. PVA pretreated by plasma (PPVA) reacted with glycerol was found not only to mechanically strengthen the PPVA/starch blend but also to improve the compatibility of PPVA and starch. Compared with PVA/starch blends, the melt flow indices of PPVA/starch blends were improved significantly by 200–300% and their tensile strength also increased two‐to‐three‐fold. Thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) showed that the thermal stability of PPVA/starch (85/300g) blend was better than PVA/starch blend at processing temperature and outperformed than PVA and starch at high temperature. Both the PPVA/starch and PVA/starch blends finished biodegradation within 9–10 weeks in soil burial tests. The esterification reaction of PPVA and glycerol was characterized by FTIR spectroscopic measurement and TGA test. The morphologic evolutions of the blend during biodegradation were investigated carefully by scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Filmability and properties of compatibilized PA6/LDPE blends

Blends of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyamide 6 (PA6), compatibilized with an ethylene‐acrylic acid copolymer (EAA), either alone or combined with a low molar mass bis‐oxazoline compound (PBO), have been processed in film blowing operations and the properties of the films have been investigated. Without of compatibilization, the filmability of the blend was very poor and no significant specimen was collected. As a result of the reactive compatibilization, the blends with EAA and even more with the EAA‐PBO, were processed successfully in film blowing. The films of the quaternary blends were shown to possess satisfactory mechanical properties as a result of fine and stable morphology. The results confirm the conclusion of a previous study, i.e., that the PBO fourth component may promote the in situ formation of PA6‐g‐EAA copolymers by reaction with both the functional groups of PA6 and the carboxyl groups of EAA. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 45:1297–1302, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effects of plasticizer/cross-linker on the mechanical and thermal properties of starch/PVA blends

Biodegradable blends of potato starch and polyvinyl alcohol were prepared by solution casting method. Citric acid was employed to introduce the plasticizing effect into the starch materials. Glutaraldehyde as cross-linker was used to enhance the properties of the blend films. Cross-linking is a common method to improve the strength and stability of starch products. The effects of citric acid and glutaraldehyde on the mechanical properties, thermal properties and swelling degree were investigated. The prepared films were measured for their antibacterial activities and biodegradability. The blend samples were characterized by the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and FTIR analysis techniques. From the mechanical properties study, it was analyzed that the blend films showed improvement in their tensile strength after cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. The SEM micrographs indicated that the blend films were smooth without any cracks, pores and were well cross-linked. The TGA curves showed that there was an increase in the thermal stability of the blend films after cross-linking as compared to uncross-linked blend films. The prepared films showed good antibacterial properties against Gam-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The biodegradability of the blends was determined by placing the samples in compost soil for different time intervals and were found to be biodegradable in nature.     

Effect of different compatibilizers on the mechanical and thermal properties of starch/polypropylene blends

Starch was treated with three kinds of compatibilizers (coupling agents or modifying agents), KH‐550, KH‐570, and glycerin monostearate. Blends of polypropylene (PP) and treated starch were prepared by a twin‐screw extruder. The effects of the starch before and after treatments and the kinds and contents of the compatibilizers on the mechanical and thermal properties of the PP/starch blends were investigated in this study. We found that the mechanical properties (tensile strength, impact strength, and elongation at break) of the blends were obviously improved with increasing content of different kinds of compatibilizers. Meanwhile, the most significant improvement in the mechanical properties was obtained in the samples containing just a 1 wt % loading of compatibilizers, and KH‐570 had the best improved effects among the different kinds of compatibilizers. The results of thermogravimetric analysis demonstrate that to some extent, the thermal stability of the PP/starch blends was improved after the addition of compatibilizers. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the dispersion of starch in the PP matrix and adhesion between the starch and PP matrix were obviously improved after the addition of compatibilizers. KH‐570 not only had the best improved effects among the coupling agents but also still acted as a similar plasticizer. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43332.     

Rheological and mechanical properties of blends of LDPE with high contents of UHMWPE wastes

The mixing of UHMWPE wastes with other polymers aims to reduce the environmental impact of waste materials. The dynamic rheological behavior of the blends, tensile and abrasion properties, Shore D hardness and impact resistance, and morphology are important in characterizing polymer blends. In this work, we have sought to obtain blends containing different proportions of UHMWPE wastes and LDPE with properties suitable for the manufacture of useful products. The blends exhibit an increase in complex viscosities, storage modulus, and Young's modulus with increasing content of UHMWPE wastes and a decrease in both the maximal elongation and Charpy impact resistance. Summarizing, the addition of up to 60 wt % of industrial fragments of UHMWPE is possible using conventional methods of processing to prepare blends with values of tensile strength, abrasion, and Shore D hardness similar to those of LDPE. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44996.     

Injection moldability and properties of compatibilized PA6/LDPE blends

An ethylene‐acrylic acid copolymer (EAA), either alone or combined with a low molar mass bis‐oxazoline compound (PBO), has been used as a compatibilization promoter for blends of polyamide‐6 (PA6) with low‐density polyethylene (LDPE). The effect of compatibilization on blend processability in injection molding operations and on the properties of the molded specimens has been studied. In the absence of compatibilization, the injection molded articles were shown to have low‐quality surface appearance and poor mechanical properties. Both these characteristics were appreciably improved as a result of reactive compatibilization of the blends with EAA and, even more, with the EAA‐PBO couple. In fact, the finished articles prepared by injection molding of the quaternary blends were shown to possess good surface appearance, fine and stable morphology and satisfactory mechanical properties. The results confirm the conclusion of a previous study, i.e., that the PBO fourth component may promote the in situ formation of PA6‐g‐EAA copolymers, by reaction with both the functional groups of PA6 and the carboxyl groups of EAA. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:1732–1737, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Structure and properties of new reversibly crosslinked iPP/LDPE blends

Reversibly crosslinked blends of isotactic polypropylene and low density polyethylene (iPP/LDPE) were prepared in the presence of crosslinking agents using reactive extrusion. The structure and properties of the modified blends were investigated by means of wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and macro- and micro-mechanical measurements. The crystallinity of the modified samples (LDPE, iPP, and their blends) does not seem to be so much affected by the crosslinking process. Results show that the microhardness of the iPP/LDPE blends notably increases with the iPP content. The micromechanical properties of the modified blends only improve slightly as a consequence of the crosslinking process. In the iPP samples, and also in the iPP/LDPE blends, this process gives rise to the appearance of new, crystalline ethylenic chains, as evidenced by the calorimetric measurements. Furthermore, the impact strength of the modified materials is improved as compared with that of the original ones, while some of the crosslinked blends show a ductile fracture behavior. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008