EFFECT OF EAA AND STARCH ON THE THERMOOXIDATIVE DEGRADATION OF LDPE

In the present study the effect that the ethylene-acrylic acid copolym er (EAA) and plasticized starch (PLST) have upon the thermooxidative d egradation of low density polyethylene (LDPE) was examined. The course of oxidation was followed using a carbonyl index derived from FTIR me asurements and thermogravimetric measurements of weight changes observ ed in incubated samples. Three types of blends were examined: LDPE/sta rch, LDPE/EAA, and LDPE/starch/EAA. The measurements indicate that EAA accelerates LDPE thermooxidation whereas PLST inhibits it. The influe nce of the thermooxidative process on the tensile strength and the elo ngation at the break of the blends was also examined. (C) 1997 Elsevie r Science Limited.