Factors Affecting Properties of Biodegradable Polymer Blends

2 Factors Affecting Properties of Biodegradable Polymer Blends 

As in petroleum-based polymers, most of the biodegradable polymer-based blends also show partial miscibility within their blends. In the miscibility perspective, this heterogeneous nature makes biodegradable polymer blends comparable with particulate-filled and fiber-reinforced polymer 

Sample Tensile Modulus (MPa) Tensile Strength (MPa) Elongation Break (%) Impact Strength (J/m) 

Miscibility between the individual polymers is the most important factor to determine the performance characteristics of a polymer blend. Mutual solubility of the phases, the thickness and properties of the interphase formed during blending and the structure of the blend are mainly dependent on the miscibility of individual polymers within a polymer. As a result, a quantitative estimation of interactions is very much important for the prediction of blend properties. Comparison of solubility parameters of individual polymers is an effective method to predict the extent of miscibility within a blend. According to the Hildebrand solubility theory, a large difference in solubility parameters (6p) of individual matrices results in immiscibility between them in the absence of any interfacial compatibil-izer [222]. Jandas et al. have reported that PLA and PHB have Hildebrand solubility parameters (6p) of 23.5 J /cm and 19.8 J Vcm which can turn out to be partially miscibile blends in between them [35]. In case of partially miscible blends, the miscibility can be controlled by compatibili-zation using proper interactables. 

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