Preparation and characterisation of compatibilised polycaprolactone/starch composites

Polycaprolactone/high amylose starch blends were prepared by the adding of a proper compatibiliser constituted by low molecular weight PCL modified on the terminal groups by using pyromellitic anhydride. Thermal, mechanical and morphological analyses were performed in order to show the better performances of these blends compared to mechanical ones obtained without the use of the compatibiliser. Finally, the biodegradability of the materials, by a compost simulation test, was also tested to assess the influence of the compatibiliser presence on the whole biodegradation process of PCL. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.