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The packaging industry requires materials capable of offering barriers to the entry of microorganisms, with the ability to protect and maintain the characteristics of the packaging content. The use of fillers can enhance these barrier properties to the polymeric material. This work investigates the effect of incorporating different fillers (organophilic clay and corn straw) on the rheological, thermal, mechanical and permeability characteristics of polycaprolactone (PCL) processed in an internal laboratory mixer. The results of torque rheometry suggest polymer matrix degradation during processing did not increase, nor the thermal stability of the matrix. Composite films showed higher tensile strength, higher stiffness and lower elongation. Incorporation of the fillers in the PCL matrix reduced the permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide gases of the produced films. Adding up to 1% of organoclay C20A or corn straw to PCL leads to a material that combines maintenance or improvement of properties combined with lower permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide, which confirms the potential use of these systems in packaging industry.

The packaging industry requires permeable materials capable of offering freshness of the packaging content. The use of fillers can enhance these permeable properties to the polymeric material. This work investigates the effect of incorporating different fillers (organophilic clay and corn straw) on the rheological, mechanical, permeability, water absorption and biodegradability characteristics of poly (butylene adipate co-terephthalate) (PBAT) processed in an internal laboratory mixer. Extruded films and specimens injection molded were produced. The results of torque rheometry suggest polymer matrix degradation during processing slightly increase, also evidenced by MFR results. Composite films showed a drop in tensile strength, higher stiffness and lower elongation. Incorporation of the fillers in the PBAT matrix enhanced the permeability to oxygen gas of the produced films. The presence of fillers significantly increased the capacity of water absorption. The incorporation of C20A and, mainly, CS tends to accelerate the biodegradation of PBAT. Adding small amounts of organoclay C20A and CS to PBAT leads to a material that combines maintenance or improvement of biodegradation combined with higher permeability to oxygen, which indicates the potential use of these systems in packaging industry for maintenance of freshness of content.