Toughening of bio-PE upon addition of PCL and PEgAA

Abstract

Researches of polymer blends based on biological and biodegradable polymers appear as a viable alternative to develop environmentally friendly materials. Therefore, the aim of this research was to produce compounds made with biological polyethylene, i.e., Biopolyethylene, Bio-PE, added to the biodegradable Polycaprolactone (PCL) and functionalized by the copolymer of polyethylene grafted with acrylic acid (PEgAA), to obtain better mechanical properties and toughen Bio-PE. Compounds were processed in a co-rotating twin screw extruder and sample tests were injection molded. The compositions investigated were: Bio-PE/PCL at 90/10, 80/20 and 70/30 wt.% without compatibilizer and upon addition of 10 phr (parts per hundred of resin) of PEgAA. The blends were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), impact strength, heat deflection temperature (HDT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Through XRD, it was observed that addition of PCL and PEgAA did not significantly change Bio-PE diffraction patterns. Impact strength data showed that the blends presented a tougher behavior upon addition of PCL and PEgAA. The HDT of compatibilized blend with 20wt.% of PCL was slightly higher. SEM images of compatibilized blends showed lower average particle diameters as well as absence of coalescence and aggregates.

Evaluation of the SEBS copolymer in the compatibility of PP/ABS blends through mechanical, thermal, thermomechanical properties, and morphology

“…The increased impact strength by adding ABS provides an important technological contribution to the PP/ABS/SEBS (15%) blend. This exceeds the impact strength of polyamide 6 (PA6), which is an engineering polymer, 54,55 and polyethylene 56,57 …”

Reuse of carbon fiber waste to produce composites with polypropylene. The effect of styrene‐(ethylene‐butylene)‐styrene grafted with maleic anhydride and ethylene‐propylene‐diene grafted with maleic anhydride copolymers

“…In general, the PP/FC/EPDM-MA (15%) and PP/FC/ SEBS-MA (15%) composites showed gains of approximately 90% and 98%, respectively, over pure PP. The results of these composites are important for the recycling area, since they exceed the impact strength of PE, [53] high-impact PS (HIPS), [54] and polyamide 6 (PA6). [55,56] In terms of comparisons between the compatibilizers, there were no significant differences between them; i.e., EPDM-MA or SEBS-MA shows comparable impact strength in the same proportion.…”

From Waste to Reuse: Manufacture of Ecological Composites Based on Biopolyethylene/wood Powder with PE-g-MA and Macaíba Oil

“…These bers are widely used to reinforce polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), aiming at the manufacture of materials for applications in the automotive and aerospace industries [14,15]. Biopolyethylene (BioPE) produced from ethanol derived from sugar cane, although not biodegradable, maintains the balance of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) in nature [16]. In addition to being an ecological material, BioPE has the same mechanical and processing properties as the resin made from fossil sources [17].…”