Rheological behavior and morphological and interfacial properties of PLA/TPE blends

Giordano Pierozan Bernardes, Nathália da Rosa Luiz, Ruth Marlene Campomanes Santana, Maria Madalena de Camargo Forte

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Rheological and interfacial tension data were employed to predict the morphology and thermal and mechanical properties of noncompatibilized and compatibilized poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) blends. PLA was melt blended with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and ethylene elastomer (EE) and compatibilized by ethylene–butyl acrylate–glycidyl methacrylate (EBG) in an internal mixer chamber. Both TPU and EE TPEs have higher viscosities than PLA, and the interfacial properties evaluated have revealed better adhesion between domains of PLA–TPU. The efficiency of the compatibilizer agent EBG depended on the TPE type inferred by modifications in the scanning electron microscopy images of PLA/TPE blends and by the Izod impact strength (improved by 23%). The EBG was more effective in the PLA/TPU blend. The TPEs and EBG did not affect the PLA thermal stability, and no thermal event was observed in the usual PLA extrusion and injection temperature range.

Original languageEnglish
Article number47962
JournalJournal of Applied Polymer Science
Volume136
Issue number38
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Oct 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • PLA
  • TPE
  • compatibilization
  • mechanical properties
  • thermal properties

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Rheological behavior and morphological and interfacial properties of PLA/TPE blends'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this