Mechanical properties and heat resistance of stereocomplex polylactide/copolyester blend films prepared by in situ melt blending followed with compression molding

Abstract

This work focuses on the process to obtain high heat-resistant stereocomplex polylactide (scPLA)/copolyester blend films by in situ melt blending of high molecular-weight poly(L-lactide) (PLLA), low molecular-weight poly(D-lactide) (PDLA) and copolyester followed with compression molding. A copolyester of poly(ε-caprolactone-co-L-lactide) was used as a film former. Stereocomplexation, mechanical properties and heat resistance of the scPLA/copolyester blend films were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile testing and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), respectively. The PDLA fractions enhanced stereocomplexation and heat resistance of the blend films while the copolyester fraction reduced film brittleness. Dimensional stability to heat of blend films was also determined and was accorded to their DMA results. It was concluded that the high heat-resistant and less brittle scPLA films could be prepared using 70/30 (w/w) PLLA/PDLA with 20 wt% copolyester through melt blending before compression molding. This film showed similar stress at break and heat resistance to those of polypropylene film but with lower strain at break.