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Plasticizing polylactide—the effect of different plasticizers on the mechanical properties
Author(s) -
Jacobsen S.,
Fritz H. G.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.11517
Subject(s) - plasticizer , materials science , ultimate tensile strength , polymer , composite material , glass transition , polyester , dynamic mechanical analysis , izod impact strength test , polystyrene , young's modulus , elongation
Poly(lactide) (PLA), a biodegradable aliphatic polyester with excellent property profiles for different polymer applications, will play a major role in future markets for biodegradable polymers from renewable resources. PLA is a very brittle and stiff polymer with a glass transition temperature of around 58°C. The mechanical properties of PLA are comparable to those of polystyrene, with an elasticity modulus of 3500 MPa, a maximum tensile strength of 50 MPa, and an elongation at break of 4%. To introduce PLA into other applications requiring other mechanical property profiles, especially higher flexibility and higher impact resistance, it is necessary to use plasticizers. In this study the influence of several biocompatible plasticizer systems on the mechanical properties of PLA is determined. Poly(ethylene glycol), glucosemonoesters and partial fatty acid esters are introduced at 2.5, 5, and 10 wt% into polylactide. The mechanical properties, such as impact strength and the stress‐strain‐interrelationship of tensile tests, show changes, which are discussed.