Abstract
Blends of starch/polyester have been of great interest in the development of biodegradable packaging. A method based on multiple responses optimisation (Desirability) was used to evaluate the properties of tensile strength, perforation force, elongation and seal strength of cassava starch/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) blown films produced via a one-step reactive extrusion using tartaric acid (TA) as a compatibiliser. Maximum results for all the properties were set as more desirable, with an optimal formulation being obtained which contained (55:45) starch/PBAT (88.2 wt. (%)), glycerol (11.0 wt. (%)) and TA (0.8 wt. (%)). Biodegradable plastic bags were produced using the film with this formulation, and analysed according to the standard method of the Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (ABNT). The bags exhibited a 45% failure rate in free-falling dart impact tests, a 10% of failure rate in dynamic load tests and no failure in static load tests. These results meet the specifications set by the standard. Thus, the biodegradable plastic bags fabricated with an optimised formulation could be useful as an alternative to those made from non-biodegradable materials if the nominal capacity declared for this material is considered.
Highlights
The global consumption of plastics in 2002 was of 120 million that can act as plasticiser or acidifier or can be used to promote tons, and Brazil was responsible by 4200 tons of this total
A comparison of the results shown in Figure 1 for the tensile strength and elongation of films, indicate that better results were achieved for both properties at intermediate concentrations, which produce more resistant and flexible films
More research is needed to reduce the sensitivity of starch-based materials to environmental conditions, which remains a challenge even with blends that contain polyester, which has represented a major advance in this direction
Summary
The global consumption of plastics in 2002 was of 120 million that can act as plasticiser or acidifier or can be used to promote tons, and Brazil was responsible by 4200 tons of this total. Packaging sector is responsible for the greatest utilisation of Reactive extrusion is useful in the modification of the plastics, which corresponds to more than a third of the Brazilian properties of starch and in the production of TPS blended with consumption[1]. The plastic bags provided by markets, which other materials This process is industrially viable and continuous are resistant and convenient, represent a large portion of all the and offers the advantage of being a good mixing device, especially plastic bags produced and supplied to consumers[2]. These data for high-viscosity systems such as TPS[4]. Films produced by blown show the inherent need for the development of alternatives for extrusion are typically evaluated for their mechanical properties, the substitution, or at least the partial substitution, of this type of including their tensile strength, elongation and perforation force
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