Introduction
Degradable plastic refers to a type of plastic whose properties can meet the requirements of use, the performance remains unchanged during the preservation period, and can be degraded into environmentally friendly substances under natural environmental conditions after use. Therefore, it is also known as an environmentally degradable plastic.
There are a variety of new plastics: photodegradable plastics, biodegradable plastics, photo/oxidation/biodegradable plastics, carbon dioxide-based biodegradable plastics, thermoplastic starch resin degradable plastics.
Polymer degradation refers to the process of breaking the macromolecular chain of polymerization caused by chemical and physical factors. The degradation process in which polymers are exposed to environmental conditions such as oxygen, water, radiation, chemicals, pollutants, mechanical forces, insects and other animals, and microorganisms is called environmental degradation. Degradation reduces the molecular weight of the polymer and reduces the physical properties of the polymer material until the polymer material loses its usability, a phenomenon also known as the aging degradation of the polymer material.
The aging degradation of polymers is directly related to the stability of polymers. Aging degradation of polymers shortens the service life of plastics.
Since the advent of plastics, scientists have been committed to the anti-aging of such materials, that is, the study of stabilization, in order to produce high-stability polymer materials, and scientists in various countries are also using the aging degradation behavior of polymers to develop environmental degradation plastics.
The main application areas of degradable plastics are: agricultural mulch film, various types of plastic packaging bags, garbage bags, shopping bags in shopping malls and disposable catering utensils.
Degradation Concept
The degradation process of environmentally degradable plastics mainly involves biodegradation, photodegradation and chemical degradation, and these three main degradation processes have synergistic, synergistic and coherent effects on each other. For example, photodegradation and oxide degradation often proceed simultaneously and promote each other; Biodegradation is more likely to occur after the photodegradation process.
Future Trend
The demand on degradable plastic is expected to increase continually, and gradually replace most of the traditional plastic made products.
There are two major reasons resulting into this, 1) Public’s increasing awareness on environmental protection motivates more people adapt into the eco-friendly product. 2) The improvement on technology lowering down the production cost of biodegradable plastic products. However, the high cost of degradable resins and the firm occupation of their market by the various plastics that already exist make it difficult for biodegradable plastics to enter the market. Therefore, the biodegradable plastic would not be able to replace the traditional plastic in the short tun.
Disclaimer: all data and information obtained via Ecopro Manufacturing Co., Ltd including but not limited to material suitability, material properties, performances, characteristics and cost are given for information purpose only. It should not be considered as binding specifications. The determination of the suitability of this information for any particular use is solely the responsibility of the user. Before working with any material, users should contact material suppliers, government agency, or certification agency in order to receive specific, complete and detailed information about the material they are considering. Part of the data and information are genericized based on commercial literature provided by polymer suppliers and other parts are coming from assessments of our experts.
Post time: Aug-10-2022
