Biodegradable Paper Reinforced Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) Composites for Packaging

Poly (vinyl alcohol) composites reinforced with three kinds of papers which differ by voids content were investigated. Paper fibre length distribution was established as well as the structure of cross sections of paper and composites were studied by scanning electron microscope. The denser is a paper, the more loosens its structure after immersion in water and the more decreases its tensile strength after soaking and subsequent drying. The less dense is a paper, the more completely it was filled by polymer and the greater is an increase of strength-deformation characteristics of the composite. The increase of these characteristics is grater in the direction perpendicular to the fiber orientation route. The air permeability of composites and untreated paper as well as character their biodegradation were investigated.