Flender/Flender Gear Units/Bevel-helical speed reducers B4
The static laboratory composting plant yielded fundamental statements as regards the beha- viour of materials in compost environment. The statements

concerning biodegradabilityare, however, only quantifiable in respect of the weight loss; balance could not be drawn up. 3 2 2

Simulation of surface waters The aquarium trials enabled statements to be made concerning the behaviour of materials such as films,

test rods and bottles in an aqueous environment In addition to weight losses, the materialswerealso investigatedforoptical (SEM)and chemical (1R)alterationsand by

means of the pyramid hardness test The development of the microorganism counts in the water and on the samples was further test criterion, as well as determination of the pH profile and DOC release ,3.3 Assessment of the polymers as regards biodegradability It was found in the assessment that distinction must be made between the following: ) Readily degradable polymers, such as Biopol (PHBIHV), Biopac (starch) and others, which consist of only one readily degradable main component: these materials achieve good degradation results within short test periods (2 to 3 days) in the screening tests. ) Polymers which consist of one readily de radable and one hardly degradable com onent (Mater Bi, Biocell). The readily de radabye com onent (.. starch) is often dissoEed by chemical/physical processes and ien biologica)? converted, while the other com onent, in contrast, requires longer incubation period before undergoing degradation tlan can be provided for in the screeninq test. Lonq-term trials performed within the framework of the roject in aquarium and soi burial tria are necessar in this context in order to enable the Lng-term observation of material alterations. For tiese types of materials, "short- time"statement (within 6 months) as regards complete biodegradabilitywould be difficult without further work. 1 . 2. Working steps The complete study includes the following areas: