LDPE/GLUCURONOXYLAN BLENDS: PREPARATION AND STUDY OF THERMAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

The continually growing utilization of non-degradable and environment-unfriendly polymeric materials stimulates further research on their possible applications. Estimates show that 2% of all plastics eventually reach the environment, extensively contributing to the currently acute ecological problem. The present study, concentrated on the preparation of natural and synthetic degradable polymers and of their blends, deals with the preparation of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and glucuronoxylan (LX) blends and of their laurate (LaCOLX) with DS = 1.9, in four different amounts (1, 3, 5, 10 wt%), with and without poly(ethylene-co-acrylic) acid (EAA) as a compatibilizer, in three different amounts (10, 25 and 50 wt%) with respect to polysaccharide. The compatibility of the LDPE/LaCOLX prepared blends has been studied by ATR (Attenuated Total Reflectance) spectroscopy and REM (Reflection Electron Microscopy). The presence of the LaCOLX filler and the effect of the compatibilizer have been studied versus the mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation at break and Young's Modulus) of the blends. The prepared LDPE/LaCOLX blends, containing 25 and 50 wt% EAA, evidenced good mechanical properties. The increasing amount of LaCOLX and the presence of the compatibilizer had positive effects on the thermal stability of LDPE/LaCOLX blends.