Degradability of composites of low density polyethylene/polypropylene blends filled with rape straw

Composites of LDPE/PP blends and comminuted rape straw as a filler were obtained and characterized. The aging performance of these composites has been investigated. The composites were aged using various types of wet soil and selected species of mould fungi as aging environment as well as using Atlas UV 2000 apparatus as simulation of abiotic conditions. The changes between non-aged and partially degraded composites were evaluated by measuring their mechanical properties and mass change and using FT-IR spectroscopy, FT-IR/PA spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The highest extent of degradation was observed after aging in compost. The band corresponding to cellulosic fibres is no longer recorded in the FT-IR spectra.