Preparation and properties of biodegradable poly(propylene carbonate)/starch composites.: An article from: Polymer Engineering and Science

This digital document is an article from Polymer Engineering and Science, published by Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc. on November 1, 2004. The length of the article is 3526 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the author: Biodegradable composites of poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) reinforced with unmodified cornstarch were compounded in a batch mixer followed by compression molding. The effects of reinforcement on the morphology, static and dynamic mechanical properties, as well as thermal properties of PPC/starch composites, were investigated. Tensile tests showed that incorporation of starch improves the stiffness and tensile strength of composites significantly. Scanning electron microscopic examination revealed the existence of good interfacial adhesion between the fillers and PPC matrix. Moreover, experimental results indicated that the starch addition leads to a significant improvement in the thermal stability of the composites. This paper demonstrates that the incorporation of low-cost and biodegradable cornstarch into PPC provided a practical way to produce completely biodegradable and cost-competitive composites with good mechanical properties. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:2134-2140. 2004. [c] 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.

Citation Details
Title: Preparation and properties of biodegradable poly(propylene carbonate)/starch composites.
Author: X.C. Ge
Publication:Polymer Engineering and Science (Refereed)
Date: November 1, 2004
Publisher: Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc.
Volume: 44 Issue: 11 Page: 2134(7)

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