Optimizing Degradation and Mechanical Performance in Biodegradable Polymer Blends

ABSTRACT This study explores the impact of varying polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) content on the degradation behavior and mechanical properties of bio‐based polybutylene succinate (BioPBS) composites in water and soil environments. Higher PVA content significantly accelerates the degradation rate, as the dissolution of PVA creates pores and cracks that enhance water and microorganism penetration. While increased PVA initially improves tensile and flexural strength, it reduces elongation at break, leading to a more brittle material. After water immersion, composites with higher PVA content exhibit substantial declines in tensile strength and hardness due to water absorption and structural disruption. For instance, the tensile strength of composites with 80% PVA dropped from 55.53 to 3.22 MPa, with hardness decreasing to 20 HA. Soil degradation tests revealed an 82.01% weight loss in 40 BioPBS/60 PVA composites after 45 days. These findings demonstrate that adjusting PVA content allows for precise control over degradation rates, enabling the development of biodegradable materials tailored for diverse applications, including agriculture and eco‐friendly packaging.