Viscoelastic characterization and degradation stability investigation of poly(butylene-adipate-co-terephthalate) – calcium-phosphate glass composites

Abstract In this work new biodegradable composite materials based on poly(butylene-adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) reinforced with calcium-phosphate glass (CPG) microparticles at different filler concentration (0, 4, 10, 20 and 40 wt%) were characterized by dynamic-mechanical analysis (DMA), ageing and fragmentation tests. DMA results showed increasing storage modulus (E’) values with the filler content, without a significant modification of the glass transition temperature (Tg), translating in a reinforcing effect of the filler particles with good interphase adhesion. The creep compliance decreased with the increase of the CPG content, confirming a greater resistance of the composites to deformation under constant stress. The stability to weathering agents and the degree of fragmentation in laboratory-scale composting conditions were also tested, obtaining a higher sensitivity to degradation of the PBAT-based composites with the increase of CPG content. Overall, the addition of CPG particles in a PBAT matrix produced stiffer composites, with modulation of the properties based on the filler content, enhancing at the same time their degradation rate, making them a promising and more sustainable alternative to traditional polymers.