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Journal of Polymer & Composites Article Open Access

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

  1. D.K. Thirumalazhagan Department of Plastics Technology, Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET)
  2. S. Soundararajan
  3. SK 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. LDPEPLA 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.

Keywords

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