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Thermal, mechanical, and rheological properties of plasticized poly( L ‐lactic acid)
Author(s) -
Ge Huanhuan,
Yang Fan,
Hao Yanping,
Wu Guangfeng,
Zhang Huiliang,
Dong Lisong
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.37620
Subject(s) - differential scanning calorimetry , materials science , rheology , izod impact strength test , polylactic acid , plasticizer , rheometry , composite material , dynamic mechanical analysis , viscosity , lactic acid , apparent viscosity , polymer chemistry , ultimate tensile strength , polymer , physics , genetics , biology , bacteria , thermodynamics
Polylactide (PLA) is an attractive candidate for replacing petrochemical polymers because it is biodegradable. In this study, a specific PLA 2002D was melt‐mixed with a new plasticizer: glycerol monostearate (GMS). The PLA/GMS blends with different ratios were analyzed by dynamic mechanical analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Although a slightly phase separation can be seen in DSC curves, the SEM micrographs of the impact fracture surfaces of PLA/GMS blends had a relatively good separation and this phenomenon was in good agreement with their higher impact strength. The result showed that the adding of GMS has enhanced the flexibility of PLA/GMS blends as compared to neat PLA. The relationship between complex viscosity and angular frequency of the PLA/GMS blends exhibits that the melt viscosity substantially lower than that of neat PLA. For example, at 10 rad/s, the melt viscosity of PLA/GMS (85/15) was reduced by about 7.2% compared to that of neat PLA. The impact strength was changed from 4.7 KJ/m 2 for neat PLA to 48.2 KJ/m 2 for 70/30 PLA/GMS blend. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013