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Crystallization of PLA/Thermoplastic Starch Blends

  • H. Li and M. A. Huneault
Published/Copyright: April 6, 2013
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International Polymer Processing
From the journal International Polymer Processing Volume 23 Issue 5

Abstract

In this paper, the crystallization of PLA in PLA/thermoplastic starch (TPS) blends was investigated. The TPS was used as the minor component at a concentration varying between 0 and 42 %. The effect of interfacial area was studied by compatibilizing the blend using maleic anhydride grafted PLA. To further enhance the crystallization rate in PLA/TPS blends, the addition of talc and acetyl triethyl citrate, as nucleating agent and plasticizer respectively, was also studied. The crystallization rate was monitored using DSC analysis under both isothermal and non- isothermal conditions. The isothermal data was used to determine the crystallization half-life and to determine the optimum crystallization temperature. The crystallization half-time of PLA was decreased significantly in presence of the TPS phase and this effect was strengthened by the blends interfacial modification. By applying proper plasticization and nucleation strategy, crystallinity in excess of 50 % was achieved even at cooling rates as high as 80°C/min. Fully crystallized PLA/TPS samples were obtained by injection molding in a hot mold (80°C). Crystallized parts showed improved thermal resistance at temperatures above PLA's glass transition.

∗ Mail address: Michel A. Huneault, Industrial Materials Institute – National Research Council of Canada, 75, de Mortagne, Boucherville, QC, J4B 6Y4, Canada, Dr. Huneault received the 2007 Morand Lambla Award from the Polymer Processing Society. E-mail:

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Received: 2008-5-8
Accepted: 2008-7-6
Published Online: 2013-04-06
Published in Print: 2008-11-01

© 2008, Carl Hanser Verlag, Munich

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Contents
  2. Contents
  3. Editorial
  4. Robert Simha, 04.08.1912–05.06.2008
  5. Invited Paper
  6. Crystallization of PLA/Thermoplastic Starch Blends
  7. Regular Contributed Articles
  8. Study on Warpage Behavior and Filler Orientation during Injection Molding
  9. Investigation of the Effects of Formulation and Processing Parameters on Properties of PA 6 Nanocomposites using Taguchi Method of Experimental Design
  10. A Two-level Decomposition Method for Cooling System Optimization in Injection Molding
  11. A Comparison of Statistical Process Control (SPC) and On-Line Multivariate Analyses (MVA) for Injection Molding
  12. PPS News
  13. PPS News
  14. Seikei-Kakou Abstracts
  15. Seikei-Kakou Abstracts
https://doi.org/10.3139/217.2185

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Contents
  2. Contents
  3. Editorial
  4. Robert Simha, 04.08.1912–05.06.2008
  5. Invited Paper
  6. Crystallization of PLA/Thermoplastic Starch Blends
  7. Regular Contributed Articles
  8. Study on Warpage Behavior and Filler Orientation during Injection Molding
  9. Investigation of the Effects of Formulation and Processing Parameters on Properties of PA 6 Nanocomposites using Taguchi Method of Experimental Design
  10. A Two-level Decomposition Method for Cooling System Optimization in Injection Molding
  11. A Comparison of Statistical Process Control (SPC) and On-Line Multivariate Analyses (MVA) for Injection Molding
  12. PPS News
  13. PPS News
  14. Seikei-Kakou Abstracts
  15. Seikei-Kakou Abstracts
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