In recent years, the development of partially or totally biodegradable materials based on natural biopolymer (such as polysaccharides, proteins of vegetal and animal origin) in combination with synthetic thermoplastic polymers, has been the subject of considerable research effort. Hydrolyzed collagen from leather industry is a natural polymer easily available at low cost and its use is not in competition with food industries or other main applications because it is a waste material and a by-product of the tanning process. Polyethylene-collagen hydrolizate blends, at ratios of 100/0, 90/10 and 80/20, were processed using a blow film line equipped with a single screw extruder. Film blowing is a shaping technique used extensively to produce most plastics films and bags for packaging applications. The effect of processing parameters on the physical properties of blown films was investigated. The extruded films were characterized through mechanical testing, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis. The manufactured films showed satisfactory mechanical and thermal properties, thus polyethylene-collagen hydrolizate blends appears as promising candidate for the production of innovative material suitable for production of thermoplastic items for applications in packaging and agricultural segments.
Processing and characterization of innovative thermoplastic materials from wastes of the leather industry
PUCCINI, MONICA;CASTIELLO, DOMENICO;SEGGIANI, MAURIZIA;VITOLO, SANDRA;
2011-01-01
Abstract
In recent years, the development of partially or totally biodegradable materials based on natural biopolymer (such as polysaccharides, proteins of vegetal and animal origin) in combination with synthetic thermoplastic polymers, has been the subject of considerable research effort. Hydrolyzed collagen from leather industry is a natural polymer easily available at low cost and its use is not in competition with food industries or other main applications because it is a waste material and a by-product of the tanning process. Polyethylene-collagen hydrolizate blends, at ratios of 100/0, 90/10 and 80/20, were processed using a blow film line equipped with a single screw extruder. Film blowing is a shaping technique used extensively to produce most plastics films and bags for packaging applications. The effect of processing parameters on the physical properties of blown films was investigated. The extruded films were characterized through mechanical testing, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis. The manufactured films showed satisfactory mechanical and thermal properties, thus polyethylene-collagen hydrolizate blends appears as promising candidate for the production of innovative material suitable for production of thermoplastic items for applications in packaging and agricultural segments.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
