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A new approach for flexible PBAT/PLA/CaCO 3 films into agriculture
Author(s) -
Rocha Daniel Belchior,
Souza de Carvalho Jéssika,
de Oliveira Sueli Aparecida,
dos Santos Rosa Derval
Publication year - 2018
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.46660
Subject(s) - crystallinity , materials science , absorption of water , adipate , extrusion , degradation (telecommunications) , chemical engineering , composite material , polymer , amorphous solid , organic chemistry , chemistry , telecommunications , computer science , engineering
The use of flexible films in agriculture has increased intensely in the last 15 years bringing benefits to producers. However, environmental impacts increased due to their incorrect post‐use disposal which leads the degradable films to emerge as an alternative. The production films of poly(butylene adipate‐ co ‐terephthalate) and poly(lactic acid) reinforced with calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) was studied focusing on producing lower cost materials and flexible films. Four different films (reinforcement compositions) were prepared by melt extrusion with 10 and 20 wt % of CaCO 3 . Mechanical and thermal properties, crystallinity, water absorption, and soil degradation, were evaluated. The addition of reinforcement leads to improved compatibility between the polymers in the matrix, which usually presented phase segregation. The films showed better mechanical properties with the addition of CaCO 3 . Highly orientated amorphous structures were obtained leading to low water absorption and low degradation in the simulated soil. This low degradation, suggests that the obtained films would be of interest in flexible mulch films manufacturing, particularly for Muridori plantation system, where long‐term plantations are needed. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135 , 46660.