Abstract
Copolyesters of aliphatic monomers with a defined amount of terephthalic acid recently have been shown to be biodegradable. This group of plastic materials exhibits very interesting material properties with regard to their technical application potential. A tensile strength of 25 N/mm2 combined with elongations at break up to 1500% was achieved for BTA materials. Melting points varied from 80 to 140‡C. Biodegradation rate under compositing conditions were determined, showing typical erosion rates of films, in the range of 5 to 10 Μm/week. The material properties and the degradation rate as well can be adjusted by the copolymer composition. Stretching of the polymer in the cold state leads to 10-fold higher mechanical strength of the material. The polyester chain can be extended to high molar masses, resulting in melt viscosities suitable, e.g., for melt below extrusion.
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Witt, U., Müller, R.J. & Deckwer, W.D. Biodegradation behavior and material properties of aliphatic/aromatic polyesters of commercial importance. J Environ Polym Degr 5, 81–89 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02763591
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02763591