A study on the physical, mechanical, thermal properties and soil biodegradation of HDPE blended with PBS/HDPE-g-MA

Abstract

In this study, blends of high-density polyethylene/poly(butylene succinate)/high-density polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (HDPE/PBS /HDPE-g-MA) blends were prepared by using the injection molding technique. The aftereffect of mixing HDPE-g-MA (as a blend, not as a compatibilizer) and PBS by the different ratios (1, 2, 4 wt%) was investigated by various characterization techniques to give a comprehensive perception of the as-prepared system. The structure was characterized through the FTIR spectra to confirm the existence of PBS and HDPE-g-MA separately in the matrix for each blend that ensures the physical interaction between the components. The mechanical property analysis established that the different ratios of PBS and HDPE-g-MA to the HDPE matrix resembled those of the neat HDPE; however, the elongation at break, the impact strength and hardness of the mixtures were increased by increasing PBS and HDPE-g-MA, respectively. The thermal analysis exposed that the inclusion of PBS caused a decrease in the crystallinity percentage and prompted a decrease in the Melt Flow Index (MFI). The oxidative induction time (OIT) of the neat HDPE had a fluctuating behavior by adding HDPE-g-MA and PBS. The water absorption percentage of the blends was insignificantly increased compared to neat HDPE. The enhanced biodegradation of the blends compared to HDPE could be elucidated by the initiation of microbial deterioration of PBS, inside the HDPE matrix, by the activity of microorganisms that presented in the soil. The mixing of PBS and HDPE-g-MA with HDPE (Fig. a) in different ratios increased the biodegradation of the blends as in Fig. b, c and d. (The pores resulted from degradation are marked in each picture)