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Abstract
Semi-crystalline polylactide (PLA)/polyolefin multi-component blends were used as precursors for the generation of a new class of micro-cellular polymers. Either a polypropylene-based elastomer (PBE) or polypropylene (PP) homopolymer were utilized as dispersed phases at the 10 wt% level. An epoxy-functionalized terpolymer (PEGMMA) was introduced (1 wt%) as a reactive compatibilizer to reduce the dispersed phase droplet size and provide sufficient adhesion between the matrix and dispersed phase. In addition, a polyalkylene glycol liquid (PAG) was added to the blend (4 wt%) to serve as a PLA plasticizer and interfacial modifier. The multicomponent blends exhibited significant increases in strain at break as compared to neat PLA and were subjected to a range of uniaxial strains (10–90%) at room temperature. These cold drawn materials exhibited nearly constant cross-sectional area and fine micro-cellular structures, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. Distinct different voiding mechanisms observed for the PBE- and PP-containing blends were ascribed to the differences in the dispersed phase elastic moduli and deformability. The material density of cold drawn blends was reduced by up to 34% when compared to the precursor blends without a noticeable change in cross-sectional area. The novel low-density microcellular PLA blends demonstrated outstanding mechanical properties such as high strength, high modulus, substantial ductility, and a 14-fold increase in impact resistance as compared to PLA homopolymer.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 73-83 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Polymer |
Volume | 102 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 12 2016 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2016 Elsevier Ltd
Keywords
- Lightweight polymer
- Polylactide
- Polymer blend
How much support was provided by MRSEC?
- Shared
Reporting period for MRSEC
- Period 3
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MRSEC IRG-3: Hierarchical Multifunctional Macromolecular Materials
Reineke, T. M., Bates, F. S., Dorfman, K., Dutcher, C. S., Hillmyer, M. A., Lodge, T., Morse, D. C., Siepmann, I., Barreda, L. & Ganewatta, M. S.
1/1/98 → …
Project: Research project
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MRSEC Program
THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY
8/1/98 → 10/31/20
Project: Research project