Extrusion and Injection Molding of Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate-co-3-Hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx): Influence of Processing Conditions on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure

Polymers

Pieter Samyn¹  Anitha Ethirajan²  Mieke Buntinx³  Naveen Reddy³  Chris Vanheusden³  Roos Peeters³  Mouna Hamid⁴  Bart Goderis⁴ 

[1] Applied and Circular Chemistry, Institute for Materials Research (IMO-IMOMEC), Hasselt University, Agoralaan Gebouw D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium;Division IMOMEC, IMEC vzw, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium;Materials and Packaging Research & Services, Institute for Materials Research (IMO-IMOMEC), Hasselt University, Wetenschapspark 27, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium;Polymer Chemistry and Materials, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Leuven, Belgium;

关键词: polyhydroxyalkanoates;    poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate;    melt processing;    extrusion;    injection molding;    mechanical properties;   

DOI  :  10.3390/polym13224012

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Biobased and biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have great potential as sustainable packaging materials. However, improvements in their processing and mechanical properties are necessary. In this work, the influence of melt processing conditions on the mechanical properties and microstructure of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) is examined using a full factorial design of experiments (DoE) approach. We have found that strict control over processing temperature, mold temperature, screw speed, and cooling time leads to highly increased elongation at break values, mainly under influence of higher mold temperatures at 80 °C. Increased elongation of the moldings is attributed to relaxation and decreased orientation of the polymer chains together with a homogeneous microstructure at slower cooling rates. Based on the statistically substantiated models to determine the optimal processing conditions and their effects on microstructure variation and mechanical properties of PHBHHx samples, we conclude that optimizing the processing of this biopolymer can improve the applicability of the material and extend its scope in the realm of flexible packaging applications.

【 授权许可】

Unknown