Polyolefins as polypropylene are used in agricultural applications for plant assistance and protection. However, their massive consumption is causing environmental problems. In this study, polypropylene and polypropylene blends with starch and biodegradable polymers such as Mater-Bi that could be used in this agricultural endeavor, were exposed to several thermoxidation conditions. Using the standard test method ASTMD 5510, different temperature and exposure time conditions were analyzed. According to the viscosimetric results, temperature has a stronger effect on chain scission than exposure time. Groups that contain oxygen were detected on degraded samples by FTIR spectroscopy. They could improve the biodegradation process. Slight variations on the melting and crystallization temperature of degraded samples were found by differential scanning calorimetry. Degraded zones where the matrix/additive adhesion was improved where observed in the SEM micrographs of exposed blends.
Polypropylene; starch; biopolymers; thermoxidation
