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Binary and ternary poly(lactic acid)/poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) blends: The effects of oligo‐ϵ‐caprolactones upon mechanical properties
Author(s) -
Lostocco Michael R.,
Borzacchiello Assunta,
Huang Samuel J.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/masy.19981300114
Subject(s) - materials science , ternary operation , polyester , lactic acid , caprolactone , dynamic mechanical analysis , hydrolysis , izod impact strength test , phase (matter) , chemical engineering , polymer chemistry , composite material , polymer , ultimate tensile strength , copolymer , chemistry , organic chemistry , biology , bacteria , computer science , engineering , genetics , programming language
Oligo‐ε‐caprolactones(o‐CL) have been utilized as principle secondary components within poly(lactic acid)[PLA]‐based blends as well as additives within larger‐sized PCL/PLA blends in an effort to fully complement the mechanical attributes of the respective polyesters. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis(DMTA) shows that the presence of o‐CL plasticizes the PLA non‐crystalline phase with a more pronounced effect seen as the size of o‐CL is reduced. Moreover, it appears that the size of o‐CL could also affect the static mechanical properties of the ternary systems as material stiffness and strength reside between those properties measured for high molecular weight PCL/PLA binary blends and the PLA homopolyester. Future work will examine the ability of these blends to sustain these properties during hydrolytic exposure.