Effect of Gamma Irradiation on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Biodegradable Packaging Materials

The gamma irradiation was on to Poly(butylene sebacate-co-terephthalate) (PBSeT), Poly(butylene adipate- co-terephthalate) (PBAT), Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and casting polypropylene (CPP) at dose levels from 0 to 50 kGy. The properties of gamma irradiated samples were analyzed using DSC, TGA, UTM and FT-IR spectra. The mechanical and thermal properties of PBSeT and PBAT after gamma irradiation were less affected than CPP. The tensile strength and elongation of PBSeT was not affected by gamma irradiation, while these of PBAT, PLA and CPP were significantly decreased at 50 kGy gamma-ray dose. The thermal stability of PBSeT, PBAT, PLA and CPP showed a similar tendency to tensile strength. The glass transition temperature(Tg) and melting temperature(Tm) of PBSeT and PBAT were not altered by increasing gamma-ray dose, while these of PLA and CPP decreased. The chemical composition of all samples was not modified by gamma irradiation, and it was confirmed by FT-IR spectra. Based on mechanical and thermal stability studies of gamma irradiation on bioplastics, tested biodegradable packaging materials showed a potential to be used in sterilization process up to 35 kGy.