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A new starch-based polymeric system, ZI1OU from Novamont, mainly composed of starch and polycaprolactone, was reprocessed several times in an extruder to investigate the recyclability of this biodegradable polymer. A previous investigation of the thermomechanical degradation in a mixer has been also done. The degradation is mostly due to the thermal stress but the presence of the mechanical stress strongly increases the degradation kinetic. During melt processing two concurrent processes take place: the first is the degradation, i.e. the breaking and shortening of polymeric chains, mostly occurring in the PCL phase; the second is the formation of some crosslinked structure in the starch phase. The rheological and mechanical properties, measured on samples subjected to repetitive extrusion operations carried out in a single screw extruder, clearly indicate that, in the adopted processing conditions, no significant modifications are observed. Only after five extrusions some decrease of these properties was measured.

The compatibilization of blends of polyamide-6 (PA6) with linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) with high density polyethylene (HDPE), by functionalization of the polyethylenes with oxazoline groups was investigated. Chemical modification of LLDPE and HDPE was carried out by melt free radical grafting with ricinoloxazoline maleinate. Blends preparation was made either with a two-steps procedure comprising functionalization and blending, and in a single step in which the chemical modification of polyethylene with the oxazoline monomer was realized in situ, during blending. The characterization of the products was carried out by FTIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The rheological and mechanical properties of the blends were also investigated. The results show that functionalization of the polyethylenes can be achieved by melt blending with ricinoloxazoline maleinate even in the absence of free radical initiators. The compatibilization of the blends enhances the dispersion of the minor phase significantly, increases the melt viscosity, and improves the mechanical properties. The one-step preparation of the compatibilized blends was also found to be effective, and is thought to be even more promising in view of commercial application.