Effects of polyethylene‐grafted maleic anhydride (PE‐g‐MA) on thermal properties, morphology, and tensile properties of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and corn starch blends

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The effects of polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) on the thermal properties, morphology, and tensile properties of blends of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and corn starch were studied with a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Instron Universal Testing Machine, respectively. Corn starch-LDPE blends with different starch content and with or without the addition of PE-g-MA were prepared with a lab-scale twin-screw extruder. The crystallization temperature of LDPE-corn starch-PE-g-MA blends was similar to that of pure LDPE but higher than that of LDPE-corn starch blends. The interfacial properties between corn starch and LDPE were improved after PE-g-MA addition, as evidenced by the structure morphology revealed by SEM. The tensile strength and elongation at break of corn starch-LDPE-PE-g-MA blends were greater than those of LDPE-corn starch blends, and their differences became more pronounced at higher starch contents.

Compatibilization of low‐density polyethylene/cassava starch blends by potassium persulfate and benzoyl peroxide

“…No significant changes in the crystallization and melting temperatures were reported in the LDPE/corn starch blends with and without PE-g-MA. 6 DSC thermograms of LDPE and the blends recorded from the first heating scan and the first cooling scan showed a change in the heat capacity at 55.1-56. 5 C, but this disappeared in the second heating scan.…”

“…Young's modulus increased whereas the tensile strength (stress at break) and elongation at break decreased as the amount of starch increased, as reported by many researchers. 3,4,6,10,24,30 Superior modulus and tensile strength were displayed by the blends containing initiators. Among the blends without initiators, the maximum modulus, 261 MPa, appeared for the blend containing 60 wt % starch.…”

“…[27][28][29][30][31][32] To increase the compatibility of LDPE/starch blends, modified or nonnative starch has been used, such as pregelatinized starch, 11 crosslinked starch, 14 octanoated starch, 18,19,33 starch acetate, 20 hydropropylated starch, 21 and phthalated starch. 34 Polyethylene graft copolymers have been widely used as compatibilizers with other polymers; they include polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA), 1,3,5,6,17,24,25,35,36 polyethylene grafted with glycidyl methacrylate, 10,27 LDPE grafted with dibutyl maleate, 31 LDPE grafted with itaconic acid, 32 an ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer, 16,37 and polyethylene grafted with styrene-co-maleic anhydride polymer. 38 Other polymers used as compatibilizers include an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, 2 an ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer, 28 and a functionalized metallocene copolymer.…”

Water resistance, mechanical properties, and biodegradability of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate)/starch composites

“…The use of compatibilizers and plasticizer leads to finer morphology and may produce higher mechanical properties. [25][26][27] The mechanical properties of the composites can be improved by the strong interfacial tension between the filler and matrix being overcomes. [28][29][30] Reducing the interfacial tension and strengthening the interaction between polymer phases can transfer the internal stresses from the filler to the matrix and, consequently, enhance the strength of the composites.…”

Influence of wood species on properties of injection mould natural flour-HDPE composites

“…Many natural fibers such as rice hulls, palm fiber waste, or rubberwood flour can utilize to make biocomposites. Many studies noted that maleic anhydride has proven to be having a bridging effect between wood filler and the polymer matrix, resulting in improvement of material mechanical properties when used as compatibilizer [5]. This element is able to improve the WPC flow characteristic.…”