{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,23]],"date-time":"2026-10-23T21:09:39Z","timestamp":1792789779799,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":38,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"19","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,23]],"date-time":"2026-09-23T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1790121600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit at Gazi University","award":["FLY-2024-9791"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["FLY-2024-9791"]}],"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/054xkpr46","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"crossref"}]},{"award":["FLY-2024-9791"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["FLY-2024-9791"]}],"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/054xkpr46","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Materials"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The long degradation time of commonly used plastic materials leads to serious environmental pollution. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) are among the most widely used polymers in industrial applications. In this study, a commercially available oxo-degradable additive (Addiflex-HES), designed to promote oxidative degradation of conventional polyethylene, was incorporated into LDPE and HDPE at varying ratios, and the effect of this additive on the mechanical behavior of the materials was investigated. Within the scope of the study, specimens containing 0%, 1%, 3%, and 5% additive have been prepared. Test specimens were produced using injection molding in accordance with standard tensile and impact test geometries. Tensile tests, impact tests (Charpy and Izod), and Vicat softening temperature tests were conducted. In addition, the surface morphologies of the specimens were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experimental results were analyzed comparatively. The findings showed that the additive content significantly affected the mechanical properties of both LDPE and HDPE. The oxo-degradable additive used in this study reduced the mechanical performance of both materials. The results showed that the mechanical properties of the LDPE samples were more pronouncedly affected by the biodegradable additive than those of the HDPE samples.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ma19194075","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,23]],"date-time":"2026-09-23T12:36:07Z","timestamp":1790166967000},"page":"4075","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["The Effect of a Biodegradable Additive on the Mechanical and Morphological Properties of HDPE and LDPE Polymers"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"19","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6339-9202","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"\u00d6mer","family":"Asal","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Manufacturing Engineering, Technology Faculty, Gazi University, 06500 Ankara, T\u00fcrkiye"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"},{"role":"conceptualization","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"methodology","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"writing-original-draft","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"writing-review-editing","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"supervision","vocabulary":"credit"}]},{"given":"Ay\u015fe Selen","family":"Y\u00fccel","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Gazi University, 06500 Ankara, T\u00fcrkiye"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"},{"role":"methodology","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"writing-original-draft","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"visualization","vocabulary":"credit"},{"role":"investigation","vocabulary":"credit"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,23]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"768","DOI":"10.1126\/science.1260352","article-title":"Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean","volume":"347","author":"Jambeck","year":"2015","journal-title":"Science"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e1700782","DOI":"10.1126\/sciadv.1700782","article-title":"Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made","volume":"3","author":"Geyer","year":"2017","journal-title":"Sci. Adv."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Salakhov, I.I., Shaidullin, N.M., Chalykh, A.E., Matsko, M.A., Shapagin, A.V., Batyrshin, A.Z., Shandryuk, G.A., and Nifant\u2019ev, I.E. (2021). Low-temperature mechanical properties of high-density and low-density polyethylene and their blends. Polymers, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/polym13111821"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Balti\u0107, M.Z., Vasi\u0107, M.R., Vorkapi\u0107, M.D., Baji\u0107, D.M., Pite\u013e, J., Svoboda, P., and Vencl, A. (2024). PETG as an alternative material for the production of drone spare parts. Polymers, 16.","DOI":"10.3390\/polym16212976"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Herr, A.C., and Arrieta, P.M. (2026). Comparison of Recycled Polymers with Their Virgin Counterparts: Properties and Eco-Indicators. Polymers, 18.","DOI":"10.3390\/polym18182185"},{"key":"ref_6","first-page":"RDMS.000672","article-title":"The influence of LDPE content on the mechanical properties of HDPE\/LDPE blends","volume":"7","author":"Shebani","year":"2018","journal-title":"Res. Dev. Mater. Sci."},{"key":"ref_7","unstructured":"Callister, W.D., and Rethwisch, D.G. (2020). Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction, Wiley."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sperling, L.H. (2005). Introduction to Physical Polymer Science, John Wiley and Sons.","DOI":"10.1002\/0471757128"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kratofil Krehula, L., Mari\u0107, G., Godec, D., Jaki\u0107, M., and Puci\u0107, I. (2024). Polymer composites of low-density polyethylene with elongated hematite particles. J. Compos. Sci., 8.","DOI":"10.3390\/jcs8020073"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yang, X., Du, G., Shuai, H., Xu, X., and Wang, J. (2025). Study on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Waterborne Polyurethane-Modified Aluminum Hydroxide and Its Application in LDPE Plastics. Polymers, 17.","DOI":"10.3390\/polym17050556"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"933","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compositesb.2008.01.002","article-title":"Effects of particle size, particle\/matrix interface adhesion and particle loading on mechanical properties of particulate\u2013polymer composites","volume":"39","author":"Fu","year":"2008","journal-title":"Compos. Part B"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"213","DOI":"10.46793\/tribomat.2025.014","article-title":"Evaluation of recycled polyethylene-based composites filled with glass powder and aseptic carton particles","volume":"4","author":"Bal","year":"2025","journal-title":"Tribol. Mater."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"29","DOI":"10.46793\/tribomat.2025.001","article-title":"Effect of waste glass reinforcements particle size on some properties of HDPE-based composites","volume":"4","author":"Bal","year":"2025","journal-title":"Tribol. Mater."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Rodr\u00edguez Sandoval, P., Rubiano-Navarrete, A.F., G\u00f3mez-Pach\u00f3n, E.Y., and Vera-Graziano, R. (2024). Evaluation of mechanical properties of LDPE-starch composites reinforced with cellulose acetate microfibers. Polymers, 16.","DOI":"10.3390\/polym16182557"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Stelescu, M.D., Oprea, O.-C., Motelica, L., Ficai, A., Trusca, R.-D., Sonmez, M., Nituica, M., and Georgescu, M. (2024). Obtaining and characterizing new types of materials based on low-density polyethylene and thermoplastic starch. J. Compos. Sci., 8.","DOI":"10.3390\/jcs8040134"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jayarathna, S., Andersson, M., and Andersson, R. (2022). Recent advances in starch-based blends and composites for bioplastics applications. Polymers, 14.","DOI":"10.3390\/polym14214557"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1342","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jmrt.2021.09.003","article-title":"Preparation and characterization of starch-based biocomposite films reinforced by Dioscorea hispida fibers","volume":"15","author":"Hazrati","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Mater. Res. Technol."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"467","DOI":"10.1016\/j.foodchem.2004.10.024","article-title":"Biodegradable starch\/clay nanocomposite films for food packaging applications","volume":"93","author":"Avella","year":"2005","journal-title":"Food Chem."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"490","DOI":"10.1016\/j.polymdegradstab.2012.12.011","article-title":"Abiotic degradation of LDPE and LLDPE formulated with a pro-oxidant additive","volume":"98","author":"Arnal","year":"2013","journal-title":"Polym. Degrad. Stab."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"398","DOI":"10.1038\/pj.2010.147","article-title":"Mechanical and surface properties of low-density polyethylene film modified by photo-oxidation","volume":"43","author":"Suresh","year":"2011","journal-title":"Polym. J."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"012104","DOI":"10.1088\/1757-899X\/525\/1\/012104","article-title":"Oxo-degradation of LDPE with pro-oxidant additive","volume":"525","author":"Lukanina","year":"2019","journal-title":"IOP Conf. Ser. Mater. Sci. Eng."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"126282","DOI":"10.1016\/j.matchemphys.2022.126282","article-title":"Physicochemical characterization and biodegradation of LLDPE films subjected to gamma irradiation and accelerated weathering","volume":"287","author":"Pillai","year":"2022","journal-title":"Mater. Chem. Phys."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Heimowska, A. (2023). Environmental degradation of oxo-biodegradable polyethylene bags. Water, 15.","DOI":"10.3390\/w15234059"},{"key":"ref_24","unstructured":"(2024). Standard Guide for Exposing and Testing Plastics That Degrade in the Environment by a Combination of Oxidation and Biodegradation (Standard No. ASTM D6954-24)."},{"key":"ref_25","unstructured":"(2023). Low Density Polyethylene Technical Data Sheet (Standard No. Petilen 122-19T)."},{"key":"ref_26","unstructured":"(2021). High Density Polyethylene Technical Data Sheet (Standard No. Petilen YY I668)."},{"key":"ref_27","unstructured":"(2019). Plastics\u2014Determination of Tensile Properties\u2014Part 1: General Principles (Standard No. ISO 527-1:2019)."},{"key":"ref_28","unstructured":"(2023). Plastics\u2014Determination of Charpy Impact Properties\u2014Part 1: Non-Instrumented Impact Test (Standard No. ISO 179-1)."},{"key":"ref_29","unstructured":"(2023). Plastics\u2014Determination of Lzod Impact Strength (Standard No. ISO 180-1)."},{"key":"ref_30","unstructured":"(2009). Standard Test Method for Vicat Softening Temperature of Plastics (Standard No. ASTM D1525-09)."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mejia, E., Cherupurakal, N., Mourad, A.H.I., Al Hassanieh, S., and Rabia, M. (2021). Effect of processing techniques on the microstructure and mechanical performance of high-density polyethylene. Polymers, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/polym13193346"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"439","DOI":"10.1016\/j.mspro.2012.06.059","article-title":"Degradation of polyethylene film samples containing oxo-degradable additives","volume":"1","author":"Yashchuk","year":"2012","journal-title":"Procedia Mater. Sci."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2739","DOI":"10.1016\/j.polymdegradstab.2006.03.022","article-title":"Oxo-biodegradable carbon backbone polymers\u2014Oxidative degradation of polyethylene under accelerated test conditions","volume":"91","author":"Chiellini","year":"2006","journal-title":"Polym. Degrad. Stab."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"41281","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-025-25192-0","article-title":"Influence of the modification with polymer microspheres on the structural, mechanical and post-processing properties of extruded thin-walled LDPE films","volume":"15","year":"2025","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"D\u2019haese, R., Vervack, V., Hamid, I., and Vandeweghe, S. (2025). Effect of two different adhesion modes of a universal resin cement on the retention of glass fiber posts cemented to root canal dentine: An in vitro study. Adhesives, 1.","DOI":"10.3390\/adhesives1020008"},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"6073","DOI":"10.1007\/s00289-021-03695-w","article-title":"Effect of melt temperature on product properties of injection-molded high-density polyethylene","volume":"78","author":"Tuna","year":"2021","journal-title":"Polym. Bull."},{"key":"ref_37","first-page":"319","article-title":"YYPE ve PP par\u00e7alardaki kal\u0131nt\u0131 gerilmelere enjeksiyon kal\u0131plama \u015fartlar\u0131n\u0131n etkileri","volume":"30","author":"Katmer","year":"2015","journal-title":"Gazi \u00dcniv. M\u00fchendis. Mimar. Fak. Derg."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Koutsos, V. (2025). Interfacial adhesion between fibers and polymers in fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Adhesives, 1.","DOI":"10.3390\/adhesives1030011"}],"container-title":["Materials"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1996-1944\/19\/19\/4075\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,23]],"date-time":"2026-09-23T12:41:03Z","timestamp":1790167263000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1996-1944\/19\/19\/4075"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,23]]},"references-count":38,"journal-issue":{"issue":"19","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,10]]}},"alternative-id":["ma19194075"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ma19194075","relation":{},"ISSN":["1996-1944"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1996-1944","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,23]]}}}