Abstract
Glycerol-plasticized cornstarch and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) were melt-blended alone and at a constant 70:30 (m/m) composition, in the present of an organoclay. The effect of increasing contents of the organoclay on extruded and compression-molded samples was evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), capillary rheometry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and tensile tests. XRD and shear viscosity results obtained for the hybrid components (TPS/organoclay and PLA/organoclay) were correlated with the hybrid blends properties. XRD and TGA results suggested that the organoclay was similarly dispersed within both phases. SEM images revealed improved adhesion between the phases. Shear viscosities results indicated improved compatibilization as the organoclay content was increased. Some of the extruded materials were also submitted to injection molding, and characterized by SEM and by tensile tests. For the extruded and compression-molded samples, improved mechanical properties were obtained for the samples with higher contents of the organoclay. For the injection-molded samples, the mechanical properties seemed to be dependent on the organoclay dispersion.
Published Version
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