Effect of Cellulosic Waste Derived Filler on the Biodegradation and Thermal Properties of HDPE and PLA Composites
Résumé
Composites with high density polyethylene (HDPE) and poly(lactic) acid (PLA) matrix
have been tested to analyze the eect of natural fillers (wood flour, recycled wastepaper and a mix of
both fillers) and temperature on polymer degradation. Composting tests have been performed in both
mesophilic (35 C) and thermophilic (58 C) conditions. Degradation development has been evaluated
through mass variation, thermogravimetric analysis and dierential scanning calorimetry. HDPE,
as expected, did not display any relevant variation, confirming its stability under our composting
conditions. PLA is sensibly influenced by temperature and humidity, with higher reduction of Mw
when composting is performed at 58 C. Natural fillers seem to influence degradation process of
composites, already at 35 C. In fact, degradation of fillers at 35 C allows a mass reduction during
composting of composites, while neat PLA do not display any variation.