Thermal analysis of high-density polyethylene and low-density polyethylene with enhanced biodegradability

The thermal properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) filled with different biodegradable additives (Mater-Bi AF05H, Cornplast, and Bioefect 72000) were investigated with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The DSC traces of the additives indicated that they did not undergo any significant phase change or transition in the temperature region typically encountered by a commercial composting system. The TGA results showed that the presence of the additive led to a thermally less stable matrix and higher residue percentages. The products obtained during the thermodegradation of these degradable polyolefins were similar to those from pure polyethylenes. The LDPE blends were thermally less stable than the HDPE blends. (C) 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.