Barrier and Seal Properties of Reactive Blending of Poly(butylene succinate) Based Blends

Abstract

Poly Butylene Succinate (PBS) is one of the biodegradable polymers with good physical properties but its barrier properties such as the oxygen barrier are poor. The aim of this study was to investigate the barrier and seal properties of PBS by blending with biodegradable poly hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV). PBS and PHBV (80/20 and 70/30 %w/w) with and without reactive agents were prepared using an internal mixer. Film specimens of 100 micrometers in thickness were prepared using compression molding. The morphology, barrier properties and peel-seal strength were investigated. Morphological observations using scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed an improved dispersion of PHBV in the blends after adding the reactive agents. The oxygen barrier and water vapor barrier were determined using ASTM D3985 and ASTM E96, respectively. The results showed that the addition of PHBV into the blend films led to lower OTR and WVTR when compared to the neat PBS. The addition of reactive agents can further improve the OTR and WVTR of PBS/PHBV blends due to the compact and dense structure of the films. Peel–seal behavior of the films was examined by the different sealing temperatures, which determined the failure mechanism after peeling. The blend films with reactive agents after sealing temperature between 105 and 115°C were peeled from the substrate with adhesive and cohesive failures showing the easy peel mode.