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Post‐yield Fracture Mechanics as a Measure of the Degradation of Artificially Aged Biodegradable Mulch Films
Author(s) -
Monami Andrea,
Lach Ralf,
Escudeiro Ana R.,
Singkronart Kanjanawadee,
Grellmann Wolfgang,
Langer Beate
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/masy.201900003
Subject(s) - materials science , degradation (telecommunications) , composite material , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , fracture mechanics , fracture (geology) , chemical engineering , computer science , engineering , telecommunications
An accelerated approach to assess the long‐term performance of biodegradable agriculture films such as mulch films based on poly(butyrate adipate terephthalate) (PBAT) is presented. PBAT films were aged in water and in air at 80 °C for different times and morphological changes were analysed using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and light microscopy. For exposure in air a Xenon‐arc test chamber was applied. The essential work of fracture concept was used to determine the resistance against crack initiation and propagation as a measure of the degree of degradation. Only at wet conditions as in real applications the films degrade easily. Thus, the films can break in increasingly small parts to become a part of the ground.