Using of Compatibilizer for Improve Morphological Physical and Mechanical Properties of Biodegradable Plastic From Thermoplastic-strach-polyetylene Blends

摘要

Plastics as packaging material is very likely and used many time. However, plastics waste can pollute environment because plastic difficult to biodegrade by microorganism. Effort to reduce dependent plastic is develop plastic that environment friendly from renewable resources by blending method. Problems encountered in the manufacture of biodegradable plastic are not compatible between hydrophilic/polar and hydrophobic/non-polar materials. To improve the compatibility between the twomaterial blend were added materials such as compatibilizer. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of compatibilizer on the physical and mechanical properties of biodegradable plastics made from thermoplastic starch (TPS) and Linear Low Density PolyEthylene (LLDPE) blend. This study consited two steps, namely preparation of thermoplastic starch, and manufacturing process of biodegradable plastic. The plastic properties observed included morphological structure, melt flow rate, density, temperature melting, and mechanical properties. Morphological structure of biodegradable plastic become compatible and homogeneous with the using of compatibilizer with the marked spread of TPS into the polymer matrix. Compatibilizer is able to mediate between two materials which have characteristics different that is LLDPE (hydrophobic) and TPS (hydrophilic). Using of a compatibilizer made biodegradable plastic more compatible, homogeneous and good mechanical properties. Compatibilizer can improve surface adhesivitas between LLDPE and TPS blend. The presence of MA-g-LLDPE resulted greater physical and mechanical properties of biodegradabel plastic than without compatibilizer.