The properties of biocomposites based on ethylene–octene copolymers (EOCs) were studied. The mechanical, rheological, and physical properties of the biocomposites were investigated with attention to the filler type, filler content, and grade of EOC. Three grades of EOC with different viscosities were used as the polymer matrices. Two lignocellulosic raw materials were selected as fillers: birch wood flour (WF) and oil flax straw (FS). The effect of the filler variation range (30%–70%) on the biocomposites was studied. According to microphotographs, the filler particles were quite uniformly distributed in the polymer matrix. The WF particles had ellipsoid shapes, whereas the FS particles were characterized by cylindrical shapes. The addition of fillers decreased the elongations at the copolymer's break and tensile strengths, but increased the elasticity moduli. The fillers’ hard particles increased the stiffness of the polymer chains in the biocomposites, resulting in declines in elongation at break. The biocomposites with WF had higher tensile strengths and elongations at break than those with FS because the latter were characterized by lower density values than the former. Melt viscosity analysis showed that filler content increased with melt viscosity. The FS biocomposites had higher melt viscosities than the WF biocomposites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:756–763, 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
This article examines compositions based on low density polyethylene containing various lignocellulosic fillers–flax shive, sunflower husk, hay, birch leaves, lignosulfonate, and banana skin. The ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer is used as a compatibilizing component. The article is aimed at identifying the main factors determining biodegradation rate of the compositions. Thermal resistance and morphology of the fillers, mechanical and structural characteristics of the compositions, and their stability in aqueous media and ground soil were studied. The influence of the filler particle shape on the resistance of the compositions against various effects was shown. It was found that an increase in the length‐to‐diameter (L/D) ratio of the filler particles increases strength and water absorption, reduces melting viscosity, and accelerates biodegradation in soil. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1461–1472, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
The purpose of this study was to assess the potential for biocomposite films to biodegrade in diverse climatic environments. Biocomposite films based on polyethylene and 30 wt.% of two lignocellulosic fillers (wood flour or flax straw) of different size fractions were prepared and studied. The developed composite films were characterized by satisfactory mechanical properties that allows the use of these materials for various applications. The biodegradability was evaluated in soil across three environments: laboratory conditions, an open field in Russia, and an open field in Costa Rica. All the samples lost weight and tensile strength during biodegradation tests, which was associated with the physicochemical degradation of both the natural filler and the polymer matrix. The spectral density of the band at 1463 cm−1 related to CH2-groups in polyethylene chains decreased in the process of soil burial, which is evidence of polymer chain breakage with formation of CH3 end groups. The degradation rate of most biocomposites after 20 months of the soil assays was greatest in Costa Rica (20.8–30.9%), followed by laboratory conditions (16.0–23.3%), and lowest in Russia (13.2–22.0%). The biocomposites with flax straw were more prone to biodegradation than those with wood flour, which can be explained by the chemical composition of fillers and the shape of filler particles. As the size fraction of filler particles increased, the biodegradation rate increased. Large particles had higher bioavailability than small spherical ones, encapsulated by a polymer. The prepared biocomposites have potential as an ecofriendly replacement for traditional polyolefins, especially in warmer climates.
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