| Abstract [eng] |
This paper addresses the topic of ecological fillers for the mechanical properties of biopolymers. In today’s world, most disposable plastic products are made from petroleum-based polymers. Used disposable products often end up in the oceans and forests. This waste contaminates water, soil and decomposes for a long time. The basis of biopolymer filler research is to create the most friendly biopolymer that would decompose rapidly in nature, while having the right mechanical properties to ensure the stability of the manufacturing process and product quality. This paper tests Thermoplastic starch with buckwheat husk fillers. These fillers are non-toxic to nature and are renewable. It is one of the materials whose use is extremely rational, because otherwise it remains unused and returns to the soil. According to the relevance of this problem, the influence of biopolymer filler on mechanical properties was investigated. Thermoplastic starch with buckwheat husk filler was used in the study at three different concentrations of 15, 20 and 25%. The resulting blends were granulated with a twin screw extruder and injected, and the casting tensile specimens were cast. The manufactured specimens were subjected to tensile tests to determine their mechanical properties. Mechanical tests of the tested biopolymers showed that the maximum yield and strength limits were for a biopolymer with a filler concentration of 20%. The data showed that increasing the concentration to 20% increased the strength of the samples and decreased from 20%. Based on the results obtained, it can be stated that a biopolymer with 20% buckwheat husk filler can be used in the production of plastic components that want to break down quickly, such as disposable containers or other disposable packaging. Comparing the mechanical properties with the material properties of existing products, they are not close, but the production of thicker products can reduce the environmental damage of existing products and achieve the required durability. The price of this filler, unlike other petroleum-based polymers, has little to do with oil production volumes and oil prices, as oil is only used to harvest the product, and therefore in the future. All agricultural fillers that cannot be used for food or animal feed or that are in excess are suitable for the development of biopolymer fillers. There are more such fillers: wheat straw, sugar cane stalks, hemp stalks, unsorted wood waste. These fillers are important in preventing the multiplication of microorganisms used in food. |
