Basalt fiber reinforced and elastomer toughened polylactide composites: Mechanical properties, rheology, crystallization, and morphology

A series of the reinforced and toughened polylactide (PLA) composites with different content of basalt fibers (BF) were prepared by twin screw extruder. The toughness of BF/PLA composite s was improved further by the addition of polyoxyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (POE‐ g ‐MAH), ethylene–propylene–diene rubber grafted with maleic anhydride (EPDM‐ g ‐MAH), and ethylene‐acrylate‐glycidyl methacrylate copolymer (EAGMA), relatively. The mechanical properties, rheology, crystallization, and morphology of BF/PLA composites were studied. The results showed that basalt fiber had significant reinforcing and toughening effect in comparsion with glass fiber. EAGMA was more effective in toughening BF/PLA composites than POE‐ g ‐MAH and EPDM‐ g ‐MAH. When the content of EAGMA achieved to 20 wt %, the impact strength of BF/PLA/EAGMA composite increased to 33.7 KJ/m 2 , meanwhile the value was improved by 71.1% compared with pure PLA. According to dynamic rheometer testing, the use of the three kinds of elastomers increased the melt dynamic viscosity. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed that POE‐ g ‐MAH and EPDM‐ g ‐MAH can decrease the cold crystallization temperature ( T cc ) to approximately 20°C and dramatically improve crystallinity (χ c ) of BF/PLA composites. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012