Abstract
The biodegradability of low density polyethylene (LDPE)/starch and LDPE/starch/starch acetate (STAc) blends was tested and observed to be dependent on STAc content. The binary and ternary blends containing up to a maximum concentration of 30% starch were examined for their thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties. The blends with no STAc or 2.5% STAc show almost no adherence of two phases. With 10% STAc, dispersion of starch was observed to increase with some adherence to LDPE. Tensile strength, elongation at break, and Izod impact strength of the blends decreased with increased starch content. However, incorporation of STAc along with starch improved all these properties, particularly elongation at break and toughness. The melt flow index was also improved on partial substitution of starch by STAc. Maximum biodegradability was observed for the blends containing 30% (starch + STAc). Cell growth was observed to increase with increasing concentration of (starch + STAc) in the blends. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 2791–2802, 1999
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
