Caracterização e desempenho de filmes PBAT/PCL/BABAÇU.

Abstract

The development of polymer blends from biodegradable polymers is a proposal that has been growing in the search for products less harmful to the environment after their disposal. The present work deals with the manufacture and characterization of blends and composites using two synthetic biodegradable

polymers (Poly (butylene adipate co-terephthalate) - PBAT and Poly-ε- caprolactone - PCL) and babassu mesocarp as a filler. The systems were

processed in internal mixer, granulated and extruded as flat films. Rheological, mechanical, thermal, biodegradation and gas permeability properties of these systems were determined and their fracture surfaces characterized by Optical (MO) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Based on the experimental data, PBAT75/25PCL blends were chosen for the production of PBAT/PCL composites with babassu contents of up to 5% by weight. Results indicate that degradation of the blends during processing as well as their biodegradation increases with PCL content and with the addition of the babassu fibers. They also show that both, the incorporation of PCL and of babassu fibers, make the systems more rigid, with variable effects in maximum stress. Analyzes by MEV and MO show fiber aggregates and poor fiber / matrix adhesion as well as the presence of which appears to be some micropores or bubbles in the composites. Thermal analysis shows changes in crystallization and melting temperatures of the blends and the composites and that the degree of crystallinity in the blends increases with PCL content up to 25%, while that of the composites shows a reduction compared with that of the reference blend. Gas permeability decreases with the incorporation of babassu fiber. Babassu mesocarp incorporation led to decreased permeability and increased biodegradation without significantly affecting the mechanical properties of the PBAT/PCL (75/25) blend.