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Improvement in toughness and crystallization of poly( L ‐lactic acid) by melt blending with ethylene/methyl acrylate/glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer
Author(s) -
Zhang Xin,
Li Yi,
Han Lijing,
Han Changyu,
Xu Kun,
Zhou Chao,
Zhang Mingyao,
Dong Lisong
Publication year - 2013
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.23507
Subject(s) - materials science , crystallinity , crystallization , glycidyl methacrylate , methyl acrylate , composite material , methyl methacrylate , acrylate , toughness , izod impact strength test , compatibilization , polymer chemistry , copolymer , chemical engineering , polymer blend , polymer , ultimate tensile strength , engineering
Melt blending of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and ethylene/methyl acrylate/glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer (EGA) containing relatively high‐concentration epoxide groups (8 wt%) was performed to improve the toughness and crystallization of PLA. The results of nonisothermal and isothermal crystallization investigation showed that the addition of EGA accelerated the crystallization rate and increased the final crystallinity of PLA in the blends. Significant enhancement in toughness and flexibility of PLA were achieved by the incorporation of the EGA elastomer. When 20 wt% EGA added, the impact strength increased from 3.0 kJ m −2 of neat PLA to 59.8 kJ m −2 and the elongation at break increased from 4.9 to 232.0%. The failure mode changed from brittle fracture of neat PLA to ductile fracture of the blend. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 53:2498–2508, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers