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Investigation of Processability of Chain‐Extended Polylactides During Melt Processing – Compounding Conditions and Polymer Molecular Structure
Author(s) -
Jaszkiewicz Adam,
Bledzki Andrzej K.,
Duda Andrzej,
Galeski Andrzej,
Franciszczak Piotr
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
macromolecular materials and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1439-2054
pISSN - 1438-7492
DOI - 10.1002/mame.201300115
Subject(s) - compounding , materials science , polymer , biopolymer , thermal stability , melt flow index , plastics extrusion , polymer science , composite material , chemical engineering , copolymer , engineering
The presented research study deals with the processability of two different polylactides (PLAs). The main focus is on the melt behavior during compounding on a twin‐screw extruder and laboratory kneader, and the resulting change in the polymeric structure. In addition, a comparative analysis of the thermal stability further contributes to the frame of the investigation. Finally, the processability of reactive extended PLA will be discussed. This new approach focuses on understanding the molecular architecture of the biopolymer, and, furthermore, customizing the innovative modification of the structure using multifunctional additives. The basic principle is hereby the utilization of reactive processing via specific chain extenders, which allows defined formations on the molecular level. As a result, a significant improvement of the polymer melt behavior – specifically the melt flow and thermo‐mechanical stability – can be achieved.