Blown Films From Linear Low Density Polyethylene Incorporating Biodegradable Additive

摘要

Environmental concerns are now driving additive suppliers and polymer resin manufacturers to step up efforts to create innovative materials for the future. In the present work, a "biodegradable" additive/promoter was incorporated into a butene-base linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) at different levels. The properties of the blown films derived therefrom were investigated. In the first step the "degradation additive/promoter" was ocnverted into a 50% masterbatch in LLDPE. In the second step, this concentrate was let down at 5,10,15 and 20% level in a butene-based film grade LLDPE. The properties of the films were characterized. In the third step, the films were subjected to 'real-time' degradation tests; using natural soil and under vermicompost conditions. Films subjected to degradation under vermicompost conditions have shown encouraging results. After 3 months, the films containing 15 and 20% additive were found to have disintegrated to a practically unusable form.