New class of shear oriented, biodegradable packaging material

Abstract

Abstract Reducing waste amount from plastic packaging materials is in the scope of interest of many scientific groups in the world. One of the most important biodegradable polyesters with good mechanical properties, high transparency and good processability is poly(lactic acid). It can be modified with various additives (plasticizers, chain extenders etc.) or by preparing blends with other polymers. Such blends can be further modified by addition of functional fillers in order to improve final properties. In the paper an anisotropic polymer composite was developed based on poly(butylene succinate)/poly(lactic acid) matrix with carbon nanotubes as a filler. Anisotropy was achieved due to the orientation process induced during extrusion. To fully characterize a new material the rheological, thermal and mechanical measurements were performed, completed with morphology observations.