Studies On Compatibilization Of Recycled Polyethylene/Thermoplastic Starch Blends By Using Different Compatibilizer

Abstract

In this study, the aim was to examine the effects of three different compatibilizers on the recycled polyethylene/ thermoplastic starch (r-LDPE/TPS) blends which are used in producing garbage bags. Polyethylene-Grafted-Maleic Anhydride (PEgMAH), maleic-anhydride modified ethylene propylene rubber (EPMgMAH) and ethylene maleic anhydride copolymer (PEMAH) were selected as the compatibilizers. r-LDPE/TPS blends with or without compatibilizer were prepared by using a twin screw extruder and characterized by means of mechanical, thermal, structural and morphological analyses. It was found that tensile strength values increased with the addition of PEgMAH but decreased with the addition of EPMgMAH. Elongations at break values of the r-LDPE/TPS blends were significantly improved by using PEgMAH and EPMgMAH. Tm and Tc values have slightly affected by the compatibilizer usage in the DSC analysis. In addition, the better interfacial interaction was observed for the compatibilized blend with the PEgMAH and EPMgMAH during the SEM analysis. It was concluded that PEgMAH and EPMgMAH showed mainly changed results in elongation at break values and this is the important parameter in the packaging industry.

The effect of Ag, ZnO, and CuO nanoparticles on the properties of the compatibilized polyethylene/thermoplastic starch blend films

“…In the literature, several studies are examining the properties of PE/TPS blends. [13,17] However, since these materials have a relatively high interfacial tension, they show poor mechanical properties due to the poor phase compatibility between nonpolar PE and the high polarity of TPS. [10,13,17] Besides, deterioration in transparency, tensile elongation and strength, tear-strength, and gas barrier properties of PE/TPS blends have been reported.…”

“…[13,17] However, since these materials have a relatively high interfacial tension, they show poor mechanical properties due to the poor phase compatibility between nonpolar PE and the high polarity of TPS. [10,13,17] Besides, deterioration in transparency, tensile elongation and strength, tear-strength, and gas barrier properties of PE/TPS blends have been reported. [17][18] To overcome the incompatibility problem between the PE and TPS, the addition of nanofillers and various compatibilizer such as polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) has been suggested.…”

“…[10,13,17] Besides, deterioration in transparency, tensile elongation and strength, tear-strength, and gas barrier properties of PE/TPS blends have been reported. [17][18] To overcome the incompatibility problem between the PE and TPS, the addition of nanofillers and various compatibilizer such as polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) has been suggested. [13,17,19] However, the poor mechanical properties in the blends have not been completely overcome by the use of only a compatibilizer.…”

Gelatinized and nongelatinized starch/pp blends: effect of starch source and carboxylic and incorporation

“…The chemical incompatibility between hydrophilic TPS and the hydrophobic PP, which worsens the mechanical properties. To overcome this issue, some polyolefin grafted with maleic anhydride (MA) is widely used [22][23][24]. However, MA is expensive, difficult to manufacture and like petroleum-based polymers, non-biodegradable.…”

Effect of Maleated Polyethylene Wax on Mechanical and Rheological Properties of LDPE/Starch Blends

“…12 Another method to make suitable polymer blends is to mix reactively in situ or to use a compatibilizer that contains maleic anhydride (MAH). 13,14 The anhydride group can graft other polymers at the melt temperature due to its high reactivity in subsequent processes. Bikiaris et al, found in their study conducted in 1998 that polyethylene-g-maleic anhydride co-polymers (PE-g-MAH) was the most effective compatibilizers in LDPE/ plasticized starch (PLST) blends.…”