Biodegradable PHB/Copolyester Blends - Biodegradation in Soil

This paper reports on blends made with the biodegradable polymers poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and Eastar Bio (R) or Ecoflex (R) copolyesters, in contact with simulated compound soil. The blends had 75% of PHB and 25% of copolyesters. We also analyzed the influence from adding 30% of powder-wood or wood flour (WPC) to 70% of the blend. Biodegradation was analyzed for samples after 30, 60 and 90 days in contact with soil, through thermogravimetric, morphological and mechanical analyses. The initial preparation of the granules of polymeric compounds was made by extrusion, using a twin-screw extruder and the molding of the specimens was performed by injection molding. The analysis indicated material biodegradation under the conditions tested. The PHB/Eastar Bio (R) blend (75/25) + 30% WPC exhibited the highest degradation with 29% of mass loss at the end of 90 days. Biodegradation started on the material surface and 90 days were not sufficient to induce noticeable internal changes.