Processing Polymer Blends of Mater-Bi(®) and Poly-L-(Lactic Acid) for Blown Film Application with Enhanced Mechanical Strength

Mater-Bi(®) is one of the most commercialized starch-based blends used in biodegradable flexible packaging. However, the high ductility and low stiffness of Mater-Bi(®) might limit its application and developing a solution to tailor the stiffness and mechanical strength is highly desirable. In the present work, blends based on Mater-Bi(®) and poly-L-(lactic acid) (PLLA) at a different ratio from 70/30 to 50/50 wt% were prepared via melt-extrusion and the effect of the PLLA content and Joncryl ADR(®) as a reactive compatibilizing agent, on the mechanical properties, melts rheology, morphology and disintegration aptitude were investigated. The inclusion of PLLA in Mater-Bi(®) has a marked beneficial effect on the tensile strength and stiffness of the blend while maintaining acceptable ductility. The addition of the reactive compatibilizing agent contributed to improving the strength and elongation at the break of the blend. The melt rheology of the blend was also affected by the ratio of the two components, mostly when the Joncryl ADR(®) was present. The disintegration by biodegradation of the blend was preserved in the presence of PLLA, and it takes less than 30 days for the films to completely decompose and disintegrate under controlled composting conditions. Interestingly, a thin film from Mater-Bi(®)/PLLA 60/40 was successfully prepared by blown film extrusion, demonstrating a good balance between stretchability (elongation at break exceeding 100%) and stiffness (1.8 GPa). This work opened to broadening the use of starch-based biodegradable plastic toward more demanding applications such as mulching films.