Abstract
AbstractUnripe coconut fibers were used as fillers in a biodegradable polymer matrix of starch/ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH)/glycerol. The effects of fiber content on the mechanical, thermal, and structural properties were evaluated. The addition of coconut fiber into starch/EVOH/glycerol blends reduced the ductile behavior of the matrix by making the composites more brittle. At low fiber content, blends were more flexible, with higher tensile strength than at higher fiber levels. The temperature at the maximum degradation rate slightly shifted to lower values as fiber content increased. Comparing blends with and without fibers, there was no drastic change in melt temperature of the matrix with increase of fiber content, indicating that fibers did not lead to significant changes in crystalline structure. The micrographs of the tensile fractured specimens showed a large number of holes resulting from fiber pull‐out from the matrix, indicating poor adhesion between fiber and matrix. Although starch alone degraded readily, starch/EVOH/glycerol blends exhibited much slower degradation in compost. Composites produced 24.4–28.8% less CO2 compared with starch in a closed‐circuit respirometer. Addition of increasing amount of fiber in starch/EVOH/glycerol composite had no impact on its biodegradation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.