2.3.6. Mechanical properties
Mechanical testswere carriedout using a TA-XT2i texture analyzer
(Surrey – England). The dimensions of filmsamples used in testswere
25mm 100 mm, cut with sharp scissors. Prior to mechanical tests,
samples were conditioned at 25 C and 58% RHfor 72 h.
Tensile strength (T), elongation at break (3) and Young modulus
(Y) were determined from ten replicates for each film formulation
in accordance with ASTM-882-00 (2000). Samples were clamped
between grips and force and deformation were recorded during
extension at 0.8 mm/s, with an initial distance between the grips of
50 mm.