Effect of zeolite 5A on compatibility and properties of linear low-density polyethylene/thermoplastic starch blend

Polymer composites consisting of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), thermoplastic starch (TPS), and zeolite 5A (Z), with a constant PE to TPS weight ratio of 70 : 30 and zeolite 5A contents of 15 wt % were prepared in the forms of pellets and films by using a co-rotating intermeshing twin-screw extruder and a blown film extrusion line, respectively. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of zeolite 5A on compatibility between PE and TPS, as well as morphological, thermal, and tensile properties of PE/TPS/Z composites. The presence of zeolite 5A increased the miscibility and tensile properties of the PE/TPS blend. Tensile properties of the blend considerably improved after compounding with zeolite 5A, as the tensile strength, modulus, and elongation at break increased significantly (P = 0.05) by up to 60, 30, and 70%, respectively. Increasing the zeolite 5A content from 15 wt % significantly increased (P = 0.05) the tensile strength, modulus, and elongation at break of PE/TPS/Z composites from 12 to 16 MPa, 133 to 154 MPa, and 305 to 390%, respectively. However, the addition of zeolite 5A slightly decreased the thermal stability of the PE/TPS blend by 515 degrees C. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012