Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

LDPE Filled with LLDPE/Starch Masterbatch: Rheology, Morphology and Thermal Analysis

  • Research Article - Chemical Engineering
  • Published:
Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper reported the effect of starch-based additive (PSN), on the rheology, morphology and thermal behavior of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). PSN was a commercial masterbatch of corn starch and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) in the ratio of 45/55. Compositions of LDPE/PSN blend ratios at 100/0, 80/20, 70/30 and 60/40 were prepared by melt blending. It was found that addition of PSN to LDPE decreased its storage modulus (G′), loss modulus (G′′) and dynamic viscosity (η′) especially at low frequency. Results of the loss tangent (tan δ) measurements indicated a tendency of forming a maximum in the low-frequency region for the samples with high PSN content. Effect of temperature on the viscosity indicated that Arrhenius-type relation with a single slope was followed by neat LDPE, while the LDPE filled with PSN followed a non-Arrhenius-type relation with multiple slopes. Differential scanning calorimeter results indicated that the blend was partially compatible. Thermogravimetric measurement results confirmed that no degradation could happen at the temperature of rheology tests. Scanning electron microscopy studies revealed that starch was uniformly distributed in the blend of LDPE and LLDPE.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Sabetzadeh M., Bagheri R., Masoomi M.: Effect of corn starch content in thermoplastic starch/low-density polyethylene blends on their mechanical and flow properties. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 126, E63–E69 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Restrepo-Flórez J.M., Bassi A., Thompson M.R.: Microbial degradation and deterioration of polyethylene—a review. Int. Biodeterior. Biodegrad. 88, 83–90 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Cerclé C., Sarazin P., Favis B.D.: High performance polyethylene/thermoplastic starch blends through controlled emulsification phenomena. Carbohydr. Polym. 92, 138–148 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Choi H.J., Park S.H., Yoon J.S., Lee H.-S., Choi S.J.: Rheological study on oly-D(-)(3=Hydroxybutyrate) and its blends with poly(Ethylene Oxide). Polym. Eng. Sci. 35, 1636–1642 (1995)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Bhatia A., Gupta R., Bhattacharya S., Choi H.: Compatibility of biodegradable poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and poly (butylenes succinate) (PBS) blends for packaging application. Korea-Aust. Rheol. J. 19, 125–131 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Raquez J.M., Bourgeois A., Jacobs H., Dege’e P., Alexandre M., Duboi P.: Oxidative degradations of oxodegradable LDPE enhanced with thermoplastic pea starch: thermo-mechanical properties, morphology, and UV-ageing studies. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 122, 489–496 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Muthukumar T., Aravinthan A., Mukesh D.: Effect of environment on the degradation of starch and pro-oxidant blended polyolefins. Polym. Degrad. Stab. 95, 1988–1993 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Rahmat A.R., Abdul Rahman W.A.W., Sin L.T., Yussuf A.A.: Approaches to improve compatibility of starch filled polymer system: a review. Mater. Sci. Eng. C. 29, 2370–2377 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Rivero I.E., Balsamo V., Müller A.J.: Microwave-assisted modification of starch for compatibilizing LLDPE/starch blends. Carbohydr. Polym. 75, 343–350 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Sailaja R.R.N., Seetharamu S.: Itaconic acid–grafted–LDPE as compatibilizer for LDPE-plasticized Tapioca starch blends. React. Funct. Polym. 68, 831–841 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Sangeeta G., Jana A.K.: Effect of propylation of starch with different degrees of substitution on the properties and characteristics of starch-low density polyethylene blend films. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 122, 2197–2208 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Quiroz-Castillo J.M., Rodríguez-Félix D.E., Grijalva-Monteverde H., Castillo-Castro T., Plascencia-Jatomea M., Rodríguez-Félix F., Herrera-Franco P.J.: Preparation of extruded polyethylene/chitosan blends compatibilized with polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride. Carbohydr. Polym. 101, 1094–1100 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Dubey K.A., Chaudhari C.V., Raje N., Panickar L., Bhardwaj Y.K., Sabharwal S.: Radiation-assisted morphology modification of LDPE/TPS blends: a study on starch degradation-processing- morphology correlation. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 124, 3501–3510 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Rodriguez-Gonzalez F.J., Ramsay B.A., Favis B.D.: High performance LDPE/thermoplastic starch blends: a sustainable alternative to pure polyethylene. Polymer 44, 1517–1526 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Kiatkamjornwong S., Thakeow P., Sonsuk M.: Chemical modification of cassava starch for degradable polyethylene sheets. Polym. Degrad. Stab. 73, 363–375 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Lee S.K., Seong D.G., Youn J.R.: Degradation and rheological properties of biodegradable nanocomposites prepared by melt intercalation method. Fibres Polym. 6, 289–296 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Wang S., Yu J.: Influence of maleic anhydride on the compatibility of thermal plasticized starch and linear low-density polyethylene. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 93, 686–695 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Dong A., Wang J., Yin Y., Yin Q.: Rheological and thermal behavior of starch/LDPE blends containing EAA. Polym. Compos. 29, 74–749 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Ning W., Yu J., Ma X., Wu Y.: The influence of citric acid on the properties of thermoplastic starch/linear low-density polyethylene blends. Carbohydr. Polym. 67, 446–453 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. http://www.biodegradableplastics.net/products_pmp.html

  21. Elanmugilan M., Sreekumar P.A., Singha N.K., Al-Harthi M.A., De S.K.: Natural weather, soil burial and sea water ageing of low density polyethylene: effect of starch/linear low density polyethylene masterbatch. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 129, 449–457 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Fried J.R.: Polymer Science and Technology. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Vlachopoulos J., Polychronopoulos N.: Basic concepts in polymer melt rheology and their importance in processing. In: Kontopoulou, M. (ed.) Applied Polymer Rheology: Polymeric Fluids with Industrial Applications, pp. 1–27. Wiley, Hoboken (2011)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  24. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Additive+masterbatches+make+polyolefins+degrade.+(Biodegradable).-a093534777

  25. Choi H.J., Kim S.G., Hyun Y.H., Jhon M.S.: Preparation and rheological characteristics of solvent-cast poly(ethylene oxide)/montmorillonite nanocomposites. Macromol. Rapid Commun. 22, 320–325 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Larson R.G.: The Structure and Rheology of Complex Fluids. Oxford University Press, New York (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Bhattacharya S.N., Gupta R.K., Kamal M.R.: Polymeric Nanocomposites: Theory and Practice. Carl Hanser Verlag, Munich (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Pereza R., Rojo E., Ferna’ndez M., Leal V., Lafuente P., Santamar A.: Basic and applied rheology of m-LLDPE/LDPE blends: Miscibility and processing features. Polymer. 46, 8045–8053 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Ajji A., Sammut P., Huneault M.A.: Elongational rheology of LLDPE/LDPE blends. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 88, 3070–3077 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Rosen S.L.: Fundamental Principles of Polymeric Materials. Wiley, New York (1993)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, P. O. Box 5050, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia

    P. A. Sreekumar, Mamdouh A. Al-Harthi, Sadhan Kumar De & Abdulhadi Al-Juhani

  2. Chemical and Processing Engineering Technology, Jubail Industrial College, Jubail, 31961, Saudi Arabia

    P. A. Sreekumar

  3. Rubber Technology Centre, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, 721302, West Bengal, India

    M. Elanamugilan & N. K. Singha

  4. Center for Research Excellence in Petroleum Refining and Petrochemicals, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, P. O. Box 5040, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia

    Mamdouh A. Al-Harthi

Authors
  1. P. A. Sreekumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Elanamugilan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. N. K. Singha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mamdouh A. Al-Harthi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Sadhan Kumar De
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Abdulhadi Al-Juhani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Abdulhadi Al-Juhani.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sreekumar, P.A., Elanamugilan, M., Singha, N.K. et al. LDPE Filled with LLDPE/Starch Masterbatch: Rheology, Morphology and Thermal Analysis. Arab J Sci Eng 39, 8491–8498 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-014-1467-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-014-1467-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation