Ricerc@Sapienza

Oil-based/bio-derived blends have been produced with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and Soy Protein Isolate (SPI). In order to be processed, SPI is plasticized with glycerol. In order to overcome different hydrophilicity between natural and oil-based polymers, a compatibilizer has been introduced. Polyethylene-graft-glycidyl methacrylate (PE-g-GMA) has been selected to act on HDPE-SPI interface. Good effect of PE-g-GMA has been displayed, increasing tensile strength, keeping almost the same elastic modulus and elongation at break. SEM images confirmed an increased toughness for HDPE-SPI based blends when glycerol is added.