Abstract
It was studied the effect of different sustainable compatibilizer agents (myristic and stearic acid), at varied content (0% to 10%), on the properties of polypropylene (PP)/thermoplastic starch (TPS) blends. The performance was evaluated by impact resistance, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), melt flow index (MFI), colorimetric analysis and biodegradability. In addition, the influence of two PP grades—Low-Flow and High-Flow Index—was evaluated. Impact strength of uncompatibilized blends did not show PP melt flow index influence. Compatibilized blends were positively influenced by acid addition. The optimum acid content for 30% of thermoplastic starch was 6.5%. For each polypropylene there was a preferential acid. At higher contents (10%), the acids appear to act as plasticizers as well. Scanning electron microscopy images showed improvements in the components interphase. PP with high melt flow had its rheology more affected by acid insertion, while PP with low flow index had its biodegradability more affect.
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