Processing and thermal, mechanical and morphological characterization of post-consumer polyolefins/thermoplastic starch blends

Mixtures of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP), both post-consumer polymers were blended with thermoplastic starch (TPS). Corn starch plastification was carried out by extrusion with glycerin addition. The behaviour of TPS produced was investigated in the processing and thermal, mechanical and morphology characterization of post-consumer HDPE/PP blends (100/0, 75/25, and 0/100 wt.%) in different proportions of TPS (30%, 40% and 50% wt.%) by melting flow index (MFI), tensile property measurements, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The addition of TPS reduced the MFI of PP and increased of HDPE and HDPE/PP blends. TPS also decreased the tensile strength and elongation at break, and increased the rigidity of the materials. SEM showed separation of phase between the poliolefins and TPS.