The article refers to new polycaprolactone (PCL) composites with high concentration of calcium carbonate (CC). The objective of the present study was the manufacturing of PCL-based biodegradable composites, containing from 24 to 75 % of CC by mass, along with analyses of changes in selected properties of the obtained PCL composites, occurring upon various amounts of CC. Importantly, in the study relatively cheap and unmodified kind of CC has been used to determine the changeover cost of produced composites. Qualitative and quantitative analyses in addition to structure analysis of the obtained composites, including the distribution of the filler particles and their average dimensions were conducted. Furthermore, the mechanical and thermal properties, mass melt flow rate and the density have been determined. Finally, a commercially important economic analysis has been presented. A significant influence of CC on the mechanical properties of PCL was found. Specifically, the reduction of its relative elongation at break and impact strength, as well as the increase of its flexural modulus and bending strength. An increase in the thermal stability of the produced composites was also observed, however the characteristic temperatures of phase transitions as well as the degree of crystallinity did not change significantly. Considering the results of the density tests, an increase in the CC content resulted in a significant decrease in the unit price of the produced composites. This is of particular application importance, because a lower cost material with new properties could be obtained.
Keywords: Biocomposites; Biodegradable polymers; Calcium carbonate; Composites; Mineral; Poly(ε-caprolactone).
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