Tensile Properties and Degradability of Polyvinyl Alcohol and Starch Succinate Blend

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to determine the tensile properties of biodegradable Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) impregnated with commercial grade starch succinate (SS). PVA is a hydrophilic and hygroscopic polymer, and inclusion of SS reduces PVA's hygroscopicity and hydrophilicity. The compounding of PVA with SS was prepared by using a twin screw extruder with fixed flow modifier. The ratios of SS were varied between 5% to 20%. Melt flow index, tensile properties, soil burial and sun exposure degradability were investigated in this study. Tensile strength was observed to increase proportionate to the amount of SS incorporated while the blends were found to have greater flexibility as their elongation increases as their modulus dropped. SS was found to have greater flexibility chain which imparted greater elongation during stretching test. Higher content of SS was found to impart better degradation rate as derived from visual observation of the samples exposed to sunlight and soil burial.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 1113)
• Pages: 122-126
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.1113.122
• Online since: July 2015
• Authors: Mohd Muizz Fahimi bin Mohamed*, Rahmah Mohamed
• Keywords: Degradation Testing, Mechanical Property, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Starch Succinate

References

[1] E. Rudnika, G. Matuschekb, N. Milanov, A. Kettrup, (2004). Thermal properties of starch Succinates Eliassaf, J. (1972) Detection of small quantity of Poly(vinyl alcohol) in poly(vinyl chloride) resins. Polym. Lett., 16, 225-235.

DOI: 10.1002/pol.1972.110100907

[2] Lui, W. -B., Peng, J., 2005. Physical, mechanical, biodegradable properties and energy absorption behavior of corn grit-polyvinyl alcohol cushioning extrudates. Journal of Food Engineering 71 (1), 73–84.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2004.10.021

[3] Thakore, I. M., Iyer, S., Desai, A. and Lee, A. 1999. "Morphology, Thermochemical Properties and Biodegradability of Low density Polyethylene/Starch Blends. Journalof applied Polymer Science. 74. 2701-2802.

DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-4628(19991213)74:12<2791::aid-app2>3.0.co;2-4

[4] Rosa, D. S., Guedes, C. G. F. and Casarin, F. 2005. Mechanical Behavior and Biodegradation of Poly(-caprolactone)/starch Blends With and Without Expansor., Polymer Bulletin. 54. 321-333.

DOI: 10.1007/s00289-005-0391-4

[5] Matsumura, S., Tomizawa, N., Toki, A., Nishikawa, K., Toshima, K., 1999. Novel poly(vinyl alcohol)-degrading enzyme and the degradation mechanism. Macromolecules 32 (23), 7753–7761.

DOI: 10.1021/ma990727b

[6] Wool, R, Read AD, Hudgins M, Phillips PS, (2001).