Abstract
The effect of processing conditions on the final morphology of Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA) with bio-based Polyamide 10.10 (PA) 70/30 blends is analyzed in this paper. Two types of PLA were used: Commercial (neat PLA) and a rheologically modified PLA (PLAREx), with higher melt elasticity produced by reactive extrusion. To evaluate the ability of in situ micro-fibrillation (μf) of PA phase during blend compounding by twin-screw extrusion, two processing parameters were varied: (i) Screw speed rotation (rpm); and (ii) take-up velocity, to induce a hot stretching with different Draw Ratios (DR). The potential ability of PA-μf in both bio-blends was evaluated by the viscosity (p) and elasticity (k’) ratios determined from the rheological tests of pristine polymers. When PLAREx was used, the requirements for PA-μf was fulfilled in the shear rate range observed at the extrusion die. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations revealed that, unlike neat PLA, PLAREx promoted PA-μf without hot stretching and the aspect ratio increased as DR increased. For neat PLA-based blends, PA-μf was promoted during the hot stretching stage. DMTA analysis revealed that the use of PLAREx PLAREx resulted in a better mechanical performance in the rubbery region (T > Tg PLA-phase) due to the PA-μf morphology obtained.
Highlights
The generation of polymers derived from renewable sources, called bio-based polymers, has been an important field of research due to the role that these ecofriendly polymers play in the reduction of plastic residues as a source of pollution, as well as the reduction of carbon dioxide production, which leads to a decrease in the carbon footprint of its lifecycle [1,2]
Theresults resultsand and discussions presented in sections: two sections: a rheological of the polymers and bio-blends to evaluate the potential to produce a fibrillated morphology, and; a second pristine polymers and bio-blends to evaluate the potential to produce a fibrillated morphology, and; part basedpart on the analysis the relationship between the morphology obtained, obtained, using different a second based on theofanalysis of the relationship between the morphology using extrusion parameters, and the thermo-mechanical properties of the bio-blends
The maximum shear rate could be found in the die and can be calculated using Equation (7), where rdie is the radius of the die could be found in the die and can be calculated using Equation (7), where rdie is the radius of the die and Qv the volumetric flow that will depend on the extrusion parameters and the pristine polymer and Qv the volumetric flow that will depend on the extrusion parameters and the pristine polymer used [38]
Summary
The generation of polymers derived from renewable sources, called bio-based polymers, has been an important field of research due to the role that these ecofriendly polymers play in the reduction of plastic residues as a source of pollution, as well as the reduction of carbon dioxide production, which leads to a decrease in the carbon footprint of its lifecycle [1,2]. Bio-based polymers, such as Poly (Lactic Acid) (PLA), have gained interest as a substitute for conventional fossil-based polymers in biomedical and commodity applications. Its main features are its biodegradable nature, the decrease in the CO2 footprint associated with the product, and the non-toxic residues released during processing [3,4,5,6]. There is a large amount of research dedicated solving these drawbacks in order to expand the application window and become a commodity or even engineering thermoplastic [7,8,9,10,11].
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