Abstract
An approach of utilizing slowly crystallizing dynamics for fabrication of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) single-polymer composites (SPCs) was investigated. As a slowly crystallizing polymer, PLA can be prepared as two distinct physical forms, amorphous (or near-amorphous) PLA and highly crystalline PLA. In this study, near-amorphous PLA films and highly crystalline PLA fibers were combined to form a SPC using a rapid hot compaction method at a temperature about 40°C below PLA's melting temperature. It was found that, by rapidly heating an amorphous-crystalline lamination above PLA's glass transition temperature during manufacturing, amorphous films can be fused and good adhesion between the amorphous film and the crystalline fiber can be achieved. Mechanical testing showed that the tearing strength of the SPC is almost half an order higher that that of the original PLA film.
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