Effect of biobased fillers nature on biodeterioration of hybrid polyethylene composites by mold fungi

• Published in: IOP conference series. Materials Science and Engineering 2017-06, Vol.213 (1), p.12011
• Main Authors: Mastalygina, E E, Popov, A A, Pantyukhov, P V
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Additives; Biodegradability; Biofouling; Chemical composition; Composite materials; Fillers; Flax; Fungi; Keratin; Mold; Polyethylene; Polyethylenes; Polymer matrix composites
• ISSN: 1757-8981; 1757-899X
• DOI: 10.1088/1757-899X/213/1/012011

The paper is devoted to investigation of deterioration of natural fillers and polyethylene composites on their basis (polyethylene/filler=70/30) due to the action of mold fungi. The fillers chemical composition, dimensional parameters and biodegradability have been analyzed as factors exert a considerable impact on composite materials biodeterioration. It has been found that the principal factor determining the biodeterioration of polyethylene/filler composites by mold fungi is chemical composition of a filler and, in turn, its biodegradability. The excess of holocellulose content over lignin content and high protein content in a filler are able to induce biofouling of the polymeric composite materials. The presence of soluble and easy hydrolysed fraction in a filler increases its availability in a polymeric matrix. According to the study results, most effective natural fillers as additives stimulating polyethylene composites biodegradability are milled straw of seed flax and hydrolyzed keratin of bird's feather.