Degradation of Polypropylene and Polyprop/Starch Blends
A high-content starch/polypropylene (IPP) blend with acceptable biodegradation and mechanical properties has been produced. IPP/starch (90/10) blends were tested for photo-degradation under the effects of UV sunlight conditions and an artificial UV lamp for periods of time. The influence of irradiation on the degradability of IPP/starch blends was studied by means of its effects on mechanical properties, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA and DSC), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and FTIR spectral analysis. The results indicated that the current of the starch amount into the IPP matrix was responsible for the reduction in mechanical properties of the blends, and decreasing in molecular weight of the IPP/starch blend compared with pure IPP.