Degradation of Polylactide—Polyethylene Binary Blends in Soil

Abstract

Binary polylactide-low-density polyethylene blends of various compositions were prepared, and their biodegradability in soil and water absorption kinetics at 22 ± 2°C were studied. The degree of water absorption is higher for the blends than for the pure polymers. An IR study shows that the ratio of the optical densities of the bands at 755 and 870 cm⁻¹, related to the crystalline and amorphous phases of polylactide, changes in the course of degradation. The weight loss is higher upon incubation in laboratory soil compared to open soil. Changes in the specimen macrostructure after exposure to soil were demonstrated by optical microscopy.