INVESTIGADORES
PEREZ Claudio javier
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Polyethylene / thermoplastic starch formulations for film blow molding applications
Autor/es:
M. HERNANDEZ NUÑEZ; C. J. PÉREZ; L. LUDUEÑA
Lugar:
Mar del Plata
Reunión:
Simposio; XVI Simposio Latinoamericano de Polimeros; 2018
Institución organizadora:
Division Polimeros-INTEMA
Resumen:
Petrochemical based polymers, have been increasingly used aspackaging materials, owing to relatively low cost and mechanical andvapor/oxygen barrier properties that fulfill the requirements of thisapplication. For some applications such as thin films in contact with food,recycling is impractical and economically not convenient. This situation andthe non-biodegradable characteristic of these materials, has caused a majorenvironmental problem regarding the disposal of waste. Currently there is agrowing interest in the use of biodegradable polymers with functionalities andprocessabilities comparable to traditional petrochemical-based polymers1.Use of thermoplastic starch (TPS) as a raw material for themanufacturing of biodegradable products has been studied intensively in recenttimes, with clear indications of the advantages and limitations imposed by theuse of this material. Due the hydrophilic nature of starch, products aresensitive to changes of ambient humidity and have poor mechanical properties. Onthe other hand, neat TPS is not suitable for industrial film blow moldingapplications due to its low extensional viscosity. The aim of this work is to develop a twin screw extrusionprocess at pilot plant scale to prepare low density polyethylene (LDPE) / TPS pelletscompatibilized with high density polyethylene modified with maleic anhydride(MHDPE). LDPE was selected to improve the extensional viscosity of theformulation focusing on film blow molding as final application. LDPE content inthe blends will be minimized up to the minimal value to become the TPS/LDPEblends suitable for film blow molding.