Abstract:
As a solution to the environmental damage caused by the synthetic polymers in wasted materials, the use
of biodegradable polymers has gained much attention during the last couple of years. The current research
involved the preparation and characterization of novel biodegradable polymeric composites. In these
composites, Low-Density Polyethylene was used as the continuous phase. Tapioca starch, a naturally
occurring biodegradable polymer available in Sri Lanka was used as the other component in the
composites. Compatibility of starch with (LDPE) was increased by replacing hydrophilic OH groups in
starch molecules to different extents by oleate fatty-ester moieties. Mechanical properties, morphology,
water absorptivity and biodegradability of the resulting composites were investigated.
