The goal of this study was to analyze the physical properties of metalized and non metalized cast PolyPropylene (CPP) plastic films with respect to its degradation and environmental pollution. The PP films of 20 microns were produced by standard cast film extrusion process i.e. metalized PP films coated by aluminium and others without any coating. The samples were manufactured at an industry which produces food grade plastics made by a cast co-extrusion process. Physical properties like Tensile strength, Oxygen transmission rate and water vapour transmission rate measured as per ASTM standard. Results show that non-metallized film has a range of WVTR 6-8g/m2/day and OTR range 2300-2500cc/m²/atm/day. However, metalized PP film shows about 50% to 80%improvement in the OTR and WVTR. It has been proven that metallization with aluminium has improved the physical properties but affect the rate of degradation.
In the current study, the extent of degradation of plastic by fungal colonization(Aspergillus and Pencilliumspp) was measured by the structure investigation using FTIR spectroscopy, results indicate fewer changes in the peak after exposed to the fungi in synthetic media. The spectrum peak in the control on non-metalized film observes at 37736 cm-1, 38913 cm-1 and 6742 cm-1, which are absent after degradation. Similarly in metalized plastic peaks at 3779.8 cm-1, 3771.1 cm-1 , 2357.2 cm-1 and 2007.2 cm-1 were disappeared after degradation. This variation in peaks indicates fungi use the plastic as the source of carbon. These samples were tested for their degradation properties with respect to the physical properties. Both samples took for 30 days of degradation. It is found that non-metalized films degraded effectively in the mean period of time.