TENSILE AND BIODEGRADABLE PROPERTIES OF EXTRUDED SORGHUM FLOUR FILLED HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE FILMS

The objective of this study was to produce sorghum flour (SF) filled high density polyethylene (HDPE) films through extrusion process. Maleic anhydride-graft-polyethylene (MA-g-PE) was used as a compatibilizer to improve the interfacial bonding. Tensile properties for both compatibilized and uncompatibilized films were investigated. The extruded films were also subjected to degradation studies with the agencies of exposure to soil microorganisms and immersion in water. Tensile strength and elongation at break of the films decreased with increase in SF content whereas the Young’s modulus increased with increase in SF content. However, on addition of MA-g-PE, all these properties improved indicating good interfacial adhesion between the SF and HDPE. Biodegradation studies showed that water uptake, and weight loss increased with SF content as well as immersion and burial time, and was found to reduce on addition of MA-g-PE. These results support the application of bio-films as environmentally friendly materials.