Study of the Influence of the Additive "Polymateria" on the Ability to Biodegrade Polyethylene Films

Introduction. The article is devoted to the study of the influence of the "Polymateria" additive on the properties of polyethylene films and their biodegradability. The additive "Polymateria" is presented by the manufacturer as an additive that accelerates the process of biodegradation of polyolefin films. However, studies published in the literature have not previously been presented.

Purpose. Therefore, the purpose of the work is to study polymer films containing the Polymater additive for their performance characteristics and evaluate film samples for biodegradability. In the work, polymer films based on polyethylene and the additive "Polymateria" were obtained by extrusion.

Materials and Methods. The following research methods were used in the work: a method for determining water absorption, a method for determining resistance to chemical media, a method for artificial aging of polymeric materials under the influence of ultraviolet radiation and temperature, a uniaxial tensile test method, comprehensive studies of films for biodegradation by composting, determination of the sanitary and hygienic properties of experimental samples during exposure in simulation environments

Results. In the course of the study, it was found that the physical and mechanical properties under the influence of UV irradiation do not change as intensively as compared with the deformation-strength characteristics of samples that were subjected to artificial aging at temperature. It has been established that within 28 hours of exposure to thermal-oxidative aging, polyethylene films are destroyed and lose their integrity. It has been established that within 28 hours of exposure to thermal-oxidative aging, polyethylene films are destroyed and lose their integrity.

In the process of composting, the relative elongation at break of samples treated with UV decreases by 1.5-2 times compared to the values ​​before composting. When composted for 7 months, the samples did not change their size, and their weight did not change either.

Conclusion. Studies by the sanitary-chemical method made it possible to determine that in the environment of sodium chloride and distilled water after three weeks of exposure to polyethylene films containing the additive, a pungent odor is determined that exceeds the criterion of 2 points. Thus, such films cannot be used for food contact.

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