Degradation Properties in Soil and Aqueous Environments of Injection Molded Biodegradable Polymers

Abstract

Degradation properties of injection molded biodegradable polymers were investigated by biodegradability tests in soil and aqueous environments in Toyama prefecture. Biopol was cracked by degradation. The strength was rapidly decreased by cracks in samples. Mater-Bi was degraded from the surface, and the resin and plasticizer were dissolved during the test. The strength and the weight of samples were decreased during the tests. Ecostarplus was not degraded except for the grains of starch on the surface. The strength and the weight loss changed according to the places and depths of the soil where the test samples were buried. The decreases in the strength and the weight during spring and fall were faster than the decreases during winter and spring. It seems that the degradation was effected by degradation bacilli and climate.