Miscibility and tensile properties of poly (beta-hydroxybutyrate) cellulose propionate blends

The phase behaviour, crystallization kinetics and tensile properties of pol y(P-hydroxybutyrate)-cellulose propionate (PHB-CP) blends have been investi gated using differential scanning calorimetry, optical microscopy and tensi le testing measurements. The results show that the blends are miscible as e videnced by the observation of a single composition-dependent glass transit ion temperature, a depression of the equilibrium melting temperature of PHB , and a decrease in the spherulitic growth rate of the PHB component. Final ly, in the study of the tensile properties it is shown that an improvement in the ductility of PHB is brought about by blending with CP. (C) 1998 Publ ished by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.