title: Study on ternary low density polyethylene/linear low density polyethylene/thermoplastic starch blend films.
abstract: In this work, low-density polyethylene/linear low-density polyethylene/thermoplastic starch (LDPE/LLDPE/TPS) films are prepared with the aim of obtaining environmentally friendly materials containing high TPS content with required packaging properties. Blending of LDPE/LLDPE (70/30 wt/wt) with 5-20 wt% of TPS and 3 wt% of PE-grafted maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) is performed in a twin-screw extruder, followed by the blowing process. Differential scanning calorimetric results indicate starch has more pronounced effect on crystallization of LLDPE than LDPE. Scanning electron micrograph shows a fairly good dispersion of TPS in PE matrices. Fourier transfer infrared spectra confirm compatibility between polymers using PE-g-MA as the compatibilizer. Storage modulus, loss modulus and complex viscosity increase with incorporation of starch. Tensile strength and elongation-at-break decrease from 18 to 10.5 MPa and 340 to 200%, respectively when TPS increases from 5 to 20%. However, the required mechanical properties for packaging applications are attained when 15 wt% starch is added, as specified in ASTM D4635. Finally 12% increase in water uptake is achieved with inclusion of 15 wt% starch.
authors.affiliation: Chemical Engineering Department, Polymer Group, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sabetzadeh
authors.affiliation: Chemical Engineering Department, Polymer Group, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran. Electronic address: Bagheri@cc.iut.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Rouhollah
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bagheri
authors.affiliation: Chemical Engineering Department, Polymer Group, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masoomi
mesh_terms: D065966:Absorption, Physicochemical; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010969:Plastics / Q000737:chemistry*; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000737:chemistry*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013213:Starch / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014783:Viscosity; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics; D014867:Water; D020959:Polyethylene; D013213:Starch
keywords: Blend; Film; LDPE; LLDPE; Properties; Thermoplastic starch