Accelerated weathering study of extruded polyethylene/poly (lactic acid)/chitosan films

Polyethylene/poly (lactic acid)/chitosan films, with and without poly (ethylene-g-maleic anhydride) (PEgMA) as compatibilizer, were prepared by extrusion and the degradation behavior under different times of standard weathering conditions was analyzed. The materials were characterized by means of infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, tensile strength, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. It was demonstrated that blends of synthetic and natural polymers have a higher susceptibility to degradation in comparison to neat polyethylene and poly (lactic acid) films. Additionally, it is found that the incorporation of PEgMA into the extruded films apparently favored the polymer degradation, as it deduced from the fall of the mechanical properties when the films are exposed to accelerated weathering simulation.