Desenvolvimento de compósitos PEAD utilizando como carga um polímero biodegradável: quitosana.

Abstract

Chitosan, a biocompatible and biodegradable fiber, is widely available in nature, second only to cellulose. It may be used to increase mechanical and thermal performance of polymeric compounds, but some key factors, such as the ideal matrix and loading level are still poorly known. In this work HDPEchitosan compound were prepared by melt mixing in a laboratory internal mixer (Haake Rheomix 600). The effect of loading level and compatibilization with maleated polyethylene on the processability, structure, and mechanical and thermal properties of the compounds were studied. Processability data show a linear increase of torque with the loading level, but addition of chitosan did not contributed to degradation of the polyethylene matrix, even at the high 25% level studied. DSC results indicate that thermal transitions and crystallinity are not affected by the chitosan or the compatibilizer. According to TGA results, the thermal stability of the matrix increased with the incorporation of chitosan. Morphology, elastic modulus and tensile strength were not affected. However, the extension at break was significantly reduced.