Abstract
To expand the use of polylactic acid (PLA), a biomass-based polymer, in durable products, we improved its toughness by adding reactive silicones with amino or epoxy functional groups. We investigated the effects of the silicones with regard to their functional group densities and viscosities on their dispersion in PLA, their migration on PLA/silicone composite surfaces, and the toughness of PLA. As a result, reactive silicones that are moderately disperse (particle sizes: 1–20 µm), did not migrate and improved the impact strength of PLA. Moreover, silicones with relatively low viscosity (15–300 mm2/s) improved the break elongation of PLA. Especially, an amino silicone with an amino group equivalent weight of 4000 g/mol and a viscosity of 230 mm2/s remarkably improved the toughness of PLA while maintaining its high flexural strength.
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