Study of the Disintegration of Poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) and Starch Co-Extruded Materials

Abstract:

The disintegration behavior of biodegraded plastics materials including poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (Ecoflex), Ecoflex/starch blend, poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (Enpol) and Enpol/starch blend in controlled composting was described. The blends were compounded using a twin screw extruder with co-rotating mixing screw. The aerobic disintegration tests were carried out in the reactors under constant temperature at 58 + 2 °C for 90 days. During testing moisture, mixing and aeration of the samples were periodically determined and controlled according to ISO 20200:2004. The results showed that the percentage of disintegration of Ecoflex, Ecoflex/starch blend (50:50 %wt.), Enpol and Enpol/starch blend (50:50 %wt.) were 25.91%, 80.57%, 56.29% and 91.08%, respectively. It was also found that starch content facilitate the disintegration of the polymers. The morphologies and thermal properties of the residues were studied using SEM and TGA. It was found that the surface morphologies and the thermal properties results are in accordance with the biodisintegration degree.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 506)
• Pages: 331-334
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.506.331
• Online since: April 2012
• Authors: Pongsaks Siriyota, Yositar Rudeekit, Parichai Intaraksa, Phasawat Chaiwutthinan, M. Tajan, Thanawadee Leejarkpai
• Keywords: Disintegration, Ecoflex, Enpol, PBAT, Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)

References

[1] ASTM D6400 – 04. Standard Specification for Compostable Plastics.

[2] ISO 20200: 2004 Determination of the degree of disintegration of plastic materials under simulated composting conditions in a laboratory-scale test.

DOI: 10.3403/30061453u

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