BEHAVIOR OF EPOXY, LIGNIN-EPOXY RESINS AND THEIR MIXTURES DURING THEIR SOIL BURIAL

Degradation of epoxy, lignin-epoxy resins and their mixtures by burial in soil for 6 months, ill both greenhouse and nursery conditions has been studied. Degradation has been followed by observations on plants, by optical and electronic microscopy, extraction with solvents viscos imetry. FT-IR, DSC and TG. The action of environmental factors such as : microorganisms, humidity, temperature, soil type, is more pronounce d on the samples containing epoxy-modified lignin, which has a greater ability for water absorption, favours the microorganism's growth and, therefore, degradation-desintegration of the samples, occurs. The con clusions concerning the mutual influence resins-environment are : a) t he plant's growth has been less influenced by the presence of resins : b) environment conditions determined important modifications in the c hemical structure and properties of resins.