6533b7dcfe1ef96bd127295f

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Processing and Properties of Biopolymer/Polyhydroxyalkanoates Blends

N. Tz. DintchevaRoberto ScaffaroRosamaria MarinoF. P. La Mantia

subject

Environmental EngineeringMaterials sciencePolymers and PlasticsBiomassIzod impact strength testImpact testengineering.materialBiodegradable polymerPolyhydroxyalkanoatesMatrix (chemical analysis)Materials ChemistryengineeringInjection mouldingBiopolymerComposite materialBio-based polymers Polymer processing Mechanical properties Mater Bi

description

In this paper, the processability and the performance of a biodegradable polymer, Mater-Bi, and of its blends with either a sample of poly (hydroxy alkanoates) (PHA) or with bacterial biomass containing PHAs were compared. Adding PHA or directly the biomass containing it allows improving the processability of the matrix. Moreover, the mechanical behaviour of the systems was compared considering two different preparation methods, namely compression and injection moulding. The injection moulded samples show poorer mechanical performances than those of the compression moulded systems. The impact strength significantly improves when PHA is added while it reduces when bacterial biomass is used instead. In this latter case this was likely due to the easier propagation of micro-cracks during the impact tests.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2011-11-02Journal of Polymers and the Environment
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-011-0385-2