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Thermal processing influence on mechanical, thermal, and biodegradation behavior in poly(β‐hydroxybutyrate)/poly(ε‐caprolactone) blends: A descriptive model
Author(s) -
VergaraPorras Berenice,
GracidaRodríguez Jorge Noel,
PérezGuevara Fermín
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.43569
Subject(s) - materials science , caprolactone , differential scanning calorimetry , ultimate tensile strength , biodegradation , composite material , compression molding , polycaprolactone , polymer , molding (decorative) , kinetics , isothermal process , chemical engineering , polymer chemistry , polymerization , mold , chemistry , organic chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering , thermodynamics
Poly(β‐hydroxybutyrate) [PHB] is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer produced by some bacteria genders. To improve mechanical properties, PHB has been blended with other polymers. Compression‐molded blends of PHB and poly(ε‐caprolactone) [PCL] (70/30 mass ratio) were cooled to room temperature following five different thermal treatments after molding at 180 °C. Blends processed with higher cooling rates were easier to biodegrade, nevertheless elongation at break and tensile strength decreased. Slower cooling kinetics and isothermal treatments increased perfection of crystals, as seen in differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction and spherulites size. A descriptive model is proposed herein where thermal, biodegradation, tensile properties, and crystal features were related to cooling kinetics applied. It is proposed that properties of 70/30 (PHB/PCL) blends can be predetermined by an adequate control of thermal conditions during processing. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133 , 43569.