DEVELOPMENT OF POTENTIALLY DEGRADABLE MATERIALS FOR MARINE APPLICATIONS .2. POLYPROPYLENE STARCH BLENDS

The effect of exposure of unstabilized polypropylene-starch blends, with or without a metal catalyst (e.g., cobalt (III) acetylacetonate), autooxidant (e.g., fatty acid), and a metal containing plasticizer (e.g., aluminum stearate) to the marine environment was studied for about six weeks at two different locations in New Jersey. Starch tends to absorb water. Unstabilized polypropylene degrades significantly during processing in air, as indicated by melt index values. Thus, for blends of unstabilized polypropylene-starch (no additives), prepared under controlled conditions and exposed to plain seawater, there seems to be no microbial activity or chemical degradation, as indicated by no surface erosion and practically no change in molecular weight and tensile properties. However, for unstabilized polypropylene starch blends containing metal catalyst, auto-oxidant, or plasticizer exposed under soft mud, surface erosion due to microbial activity is evident. In addition, chemical degradation due to the presence of degradative additives has been confirmed, as observed by a decrease in molecular weight and tensile properties. Changes in thermal characteristics of these blends after exposure to the marine environment have been studied.