Abstract

The influence of chain structure on thermal stability of α’-crystals of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with high L-lactic acid content (96–100 %) is detailed in this contribution. α’-crystals of PLA grow at temperatures below 120 °C, and spontaneously transform into stable α-modification during heating. Using conventional differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fast scanning chip calorimetry (FSC), a wide range of scanning rates, between about 10−1 and 102 K s−1 could be tested. It was found that reorganization of disordered α’-crystals into stable α-crystals can be suppressed by fast heating. The critical heating rate needed to completely melt α’-crystals and to avoid formation of α-crystals on continuation of heating varies with the chain composition, and decreases upon increase of the D-lactic acid content in the PLA chain.

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