Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid) with Propylene-Ethylene Copolymer and α-Cellulose

Abstract:

This work studied the improvement of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) properties by adding propylene-ethylene copolymer (PEC) and α-cellulose (AC). The PLA blends and composites were melt mixed by an internal mixer and molded by compression method. The morphological analysis observed the phase separation of PLA/PEC blends due to minor PEC phase dispersed as spherical shape in PLA phase, indicating a poor interfacial adhesion between PLA and PEC phases. The incorporation of AC did not improve the compatibility of polymer blends. Young’s modulus and tensile strength of PLA blends reduced with increasing amount of PEC because the elastics of ethylene molecules in PEC structure. Young’s modulus of PLA/PEC/AC composites increased with increasing AC contents. The stress at break of the PLA/PEC blends was improved with the presence of AC. The strain at break of PLA/PEC blends increased with increasing PEC contents, and the presence of AC showed the decrease of strain at break of PLA/PEC blends.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 947)
• Pages: 200-204
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.947.200
• Online since: March 2019
• Authors: Sirirat Wacharawichanant*, Patteera Opasakornwong, Ratchadakorn Poohoi, Manop Phankokkruad
• Keywords: Cellulose, Mechanical Properties, Morphology, Poly(Lactic Acid), Propylene-Ethylene Copolymer

References

[1] M.P. Arrieta, E. Fortunati, F.D ominici, J. López, and J.M. Kenny: Carbohydr. Polym. Vol. 121 (2015), p.265.

[2] L.Q. Xu, Y.Q. Zhao and X.F. Peng: SPE ANTEC™ Indianapolis 2016, p.239.

[3] K. Piekarska, P. Sowinski, E. Piorkowska, Md.M.-Ul. Haque and M. Pracella: Composites: Part A Vol. 82 (2016), p.34.

[4] N. Zhang and X. Lu: Polym. Test. Vol. 56 (2016), p.354.

[5] P. Ma, D.G. Hristova-Bogaerds, J.G.P. Goossens, A.B. Spoelstra, Y. Zhang and P.J. Lemstra: Eur. Polym. J. Vol. 48 (2012), p.146.

[6] P. Xu, P. Ma, M. Hoch, E. Arnoldi, X. Cai, W. Dong and M. Chen: Polym. Degrad. Stab. Vol. 129 (2016), p.328.

[7] D.H. Han, M.C. Choi, J.H. Jeong, K.M. Choi and H.S. Kim: Composite Interfaces Vol. 23 (2016), p.771.

[8] S.W. Lim, M.C. Choi, J.H. Jeong, E.Y. Park and C.S. Ha: Composite Interfaces Vol. 23 (2016), p.807.

[9] V.H. Sangeetha, T.O. Varghese and S.K. Nayak: Polym. Eng. Sci. Vol. 56 (2016), p.669.

[10] X. Lu, J. Zhao, X. Yang and P. Xiao: Polym. Test. Vol. 60 (2017), p.58.

[11] Y. Deng and N.L. Thomas: Eur. Polym. J. Vol. 71 (2015), p.534.

[12] A.N. Frone, S. Berlioz, J.F. Chailan and D.M. Panaitescu: Carbohydr. Polym. Vol. 91 (2013), p.377.

[13] J.H. Wu , M.C. Kuo, C.W. Chen, C.W. Chen, Y.L. Hsu, P.H. Kuan, K.Y. Lee, K.T. Fang and J.H. He: Polym. Plast. Technol. Eng. Vol. 52 (2013), p.877.

[14] M.K. Mohamad Haafiz, A. Hassan, Z. Zakaria, I.M. Inuwa, M.S. Islamd, M. Jawaid: Carbohydr. Polym. Vol. 98 (2013), p.139.

[15] A. Awal, M. Rana and M. Sain: Mechanics of Materials Vol. 80 (2015), p.87.

[16] K.M. Zakir Hossain, M.S. Hasan, D. Boyd, C.D. Rudd, I. Ahmed and W. Thielemans: Biomacromolecules Vol. 15 (2014), p.1498.

[17] A.M. Panicker, K. A. Rajesh and T.O. Varghese: Iran. Polym. J. Vol. 26 (2017), p.125.