Development of Digital Models of Physical and Mechanical Characteristics of Biodegradable Polymers Using the Example of Compositions Based on Low Density Polyethylene with Natural Rubber

The article discusses the development of digital models of the physical and mechanical characteristics of biodegradable polymers. Based on previous studies of biopolymers, it was determined that the key physicochemical properties of biopolymers for consumers are elongation, tensile strength and weight loss in soil. Since the main characteristic that determines the biodegradation of a polymer is its weight loss in the soil, the authors proposed an approach to the development of a mathematical model of this process. To develop a mathematical model of weight loss in soil for different compositions of biopolymers, it is proposed to use the approximation of the corresponding functional dependencies. As a result of the calculations, it was revealed that the most accurate results of constructing a mathematical model of weight loss in soil for PE/NR compositions are provided by polynomials of 3-4 degrees (the obtained mathematical models are highly accurate, the determination coefficient is at least 0.95). For the practical application of the developed models of the characteristics of biopolymers, an algorithm was proposed for selecting a biopolymer with the properties required for the consumer. The use of this algorithm will allow potential consumers of biopolymers to select the most suitable composition for the production of final products from it, taking into account the required values of physical and mechanical characteristics, as well as the characteristics of biodegradation.