Gas Barrier and Thermal Behavior of Long Chain Aliphatic Polyesters after Stressed Treatments

ABSTRACT

Poly(hexane dodecanoate)-based random copolyesters containing ether linkages have been subjected to contact with food simulant liquids and thermal and photoageing. Gas permeability, thermal and mechanical properties have been analyzed after each treatment, and the results obtained have been compared with low-density polyethylene films. The results showed that the gas barrier behavior was highly influenced by the polymer chemical composition. The contact with simulant liquids and the ageing treatments induced an increase in the crystallinity degree, together with a decrease in the molecular weight. This caused an increment of the elastic modulus and a decrement of the elongation at break.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Biodegradable polymers
• food simulant
• gas barrier properties
• PE-like polyesters
• polymer ageing