Properties of Bloodmeal/Linear Low-density Polyethylene Blends Compatibilized with Maleic Anhydride Grafted Polyethylene

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 130; no. 3; pp. 1890 - 1897
• Main Authors: Marsilla, K. I. Ku, Verbeek, C. J. R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, NJ Blackwell Publishing Ltd 05.11.2013; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; biopolymers and renewable polymers; Blends; Compatibility; compatibilization; Exact sciences and technology; extrusion; Extrusion moulding; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Grafting; Machinery and processing; Maleic anhydride; Materials science; Moulding; Natural polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Plastics; Polyethylenes; Polymer blends; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymers; Proteins; Reproduction; Technology of polymers; Use and upgrading of agricultural and food by-products. Biotechnology; Water absorption; Polymer blends; Meat product; Mechanical properties; compatibilization; Organic anhydride; Experimental study; biopolymers and renewable polymers; Compatibilizer; Functional polymer; Heterogeneous mixture; Tensile strength; Thermal properties; Industrial waste; Morphology; Blood meal; Animal protein; Extrusion; Olefin polymer; Water absorption; Linear low density ethylene polymer; blends
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.39323

ABSTRACT Novatein thermoplastics from bloodmeal (NTP) were blended with linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) using maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (PE‐g‐MAH) as compatibilizer. The compatibilizing effect on mechanical, morphology, thermal properties, and water absorption were studied and compared with blends without compatibilizer. The amount of polyethylene added was varied between 20 and 70% in NTP with addition of 10% compatibilizer. An improvement in compatibility between NTP and LLDPE was observed across the entire composition range and the difference were more pronounced at higher NTP contents where the tensile strength of blends was maintained and never dropped below that of pure NTP. Theoretical models were compared to the results to describe mechanical properties. A finely dispersed small particles of NTP in compatibilized blends were observed using SEM. Improved compatibility has restricted chain movement resulting in slightly elevated Tg revealed by DMA. On the other hand, water absorption of the hydrophilic NTP has been decreased when blending with hydrophobic LLDPE. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1890–1897, 2013