Effect of Maleated Polyethylene Wax on Mechanical and Rheological Properties of LDPE/Starch Blends
doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v5i6.13
Keywords:
Compatibilizer, LDPE/PLST blend, Maleated polyethylene wax, Mechanical properties, Rheological propertiesAbstract
The non-biodegradable behaviour of polyethylene causes a serious environmental hazard related to the increasing volume of plastic waste. Therefore, the blending of polyethylene with biodegradable polymers like starch enhances the polyethylene film biodegradation rate. This study was aimed at investigating the compatibility of low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/plasticized starch (PLST) blends using maleated polyethylene wax (m-PEwax) as compatibilizer. M-PEwax was prepared, and different amounts of the compatibilizer were added to the LDPE/PLST blend. FTIR spectroscopy was used to analyze the blends. Mechanical and rheological properties of blends were determined. The FTIR results indicated that maleic anhydride was successfully grafted onto polyethylene wax (PEwax), and also clearly showed the interface in the LDPE/PLST blends that contain m-PEwax. The mechanical properties revealed a reduction in the tensile strength, break energy, and slightly increased the elongation at break. However, increasing the ratio of m-PEwax >8 wt% caused phase separations. Both the shear stress and rate increased. Meanwhile, at a given shear rate, the shear stress was reduced slightly along with the ratio of m-PEwax. The rheological measurements also proved that m-PEwax decreased the viscosity and enhanced the fluidity of LDPE/PLST blends. The flow index (n) of the blends increased as the m-PEwax content increased. Moreover, a reduction in the activation energy led to an increase in the m-PEwax content. Our findings revealed the presence of m-PEwax in the LDPE/PLST blend, making it a potential candidate for partial manufacture of biodegradable film which might be used as agricultural mulch or for a variety of packaging applications.
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