Mechanical properties and structure of mixtures of poly(butylene-adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) with thermoplastic starch (TPS)

Mixtures of poly(butylene-adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) with thermoplastic starch (TPS) in a broad concentration range from 70:30 to 30:70 wt.% were prepared twin-screw extruder. Mechanical properties tested, showing that the addition TPS leads substantial decrease tensile strength as well elongation at break, while Young’s modulus is rising substantially. Additional data collected by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), enabling more detailed discussion on relations between ultimate structural parameters. The application potential biodegradable PBAT/TPS blends consists mainly substitution polyethylene packagings, where material investigated also economically competitive. main advantage adding PBAT increasing biobased carbon content cost-effectively, since most market fossil-based.