Studies on Mechanical, Optical, Barrier Properties and Characterization of LDPE-PLA Blend Films with Micro Clay

S Soundararajan; D K Thirumalazhagan; S K Nayak

Abstract

Low density poly ethylene (LDPE) and Poly lactic acid (PLA) in the ratio of 70:30 wt% were blended along with ethylene glycidyl meth acrylate (EGMA) as compatibilizer (2.5%), benzophenone as photodegradable additive (1%) and microclay (1,3,5%) as filler. Blending took place in a twin-screw extruder and then the resulting blend was processed into a film using blown film extrusion. Mechanical, optical, barrier and degradative properties of film were tested as per ASTM Standards. The sample with 5% microclay has better mechanical properties than samples with 1% and 3% microclay; however, the 5% sample also has lower luminous transmittance and higher haze. OTR and WVTR were lowered with the addition of clay. SEM shows that the microclay is distributed/dispersed well. The EGMA works as good reactive compatibilizer and hence uniform flow, uniform phase behaviour and uniform properties is obtained. Hence this LDPE-PLA blend is miscible one. LDPE-PLA blend with microclay will be photo /biodegradable in the presence of Benzophenone and PLA in the environment because LDPE in presence of benzophenone is photodegradable and PLA is biodegradable.

Abstract

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