Biodegradability and Mechanical Properties of Low Density Polyethylene/Waste Maize Cob Flour Blends

The properties of blend of low density polyethylene and waste maize cob flour (LDPE/WMCF) and maleated polyethylene (MAPE) as compatibilizer were studied. LDPE/WMCF composites with different filler loadings, with and without the addition of MAPE were prepared using a laboratory injection moulding machine. Mechanical properties of the LDPE were found to be worse when it was blended with the filler, due to the poor compatibility between the two phases. The addition of MAPE led to a much better dispersion and homogeneity owing to the formation of ester linkage group and thus showed better properties. Water uptake of compatibilized LDPE/filler composite (LDPE/WMCF) was lower than that of uncompatibilized LDPE/filler composite (LDPE/WMCF). Both composite were buried in the soil to assess biodegradability. Weight loss of composites observed indicated that both were biodegradable, even at high of filler concentration.