Factors influencing the biodegradability of biocomposites based on ethylene-octene copolymer (EOC) and vegetable fillers

In this study the role of the content of filler, its nature (particle geometry in particular) and the type of the copolymer matrix were examined. For the study three grades of ethylene-octene copolymer were chosen. Composites were mixed in proportion from 70 to 30 wt % of the polymer matrix content. Water absorption was determined; thermal oxidative degradation was studied; and a biodegradation test on recovered soil was carried out. It was concluded that water absorption and weight loss correlate with the filler content. It was found that biocomposites with oil flax straw are more prone to water absorption and weight loss than the same ones with wood flour. The most stable matrix to oxidation was Lucene 370, then Lucene 670 and Lucene 760. Therefore, biocomposites based on Lucene 760 should be more biodegradable than others.