Journal
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Volume 21, Issue 2, Pages 450-460Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s10924-012-0531-5
Keywords
Biodegradable polymer; Natural rubber; Poly(lactic acid); Poly(vinyl acetate); Toughness
Categories
Funding
- Royal Golden Jubilee PhD Program, Thailand Research Fund
- Garduate School, Prince of Songkla University
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Natural rubber grafted with poly(vinyl acetate) copolymer (NR-g-PVAc) was synthesized by emulsion polymerization. Three graft copolymers were prepared with different PVAc contents: 1 % (G1), 5 % (G5) and 12 % (G12). Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was melt blended with natural rubber (NR) and/or NR-g-PVAc in a twin screw extruder. The blends contained 10-20 wt% rubber. The notched Izod impact strength and tensile properties were determined from the compression molded specimens. The effect of NR mastication on the mechanical properties of the PLA/NR/NR-g-PVAc blend was evaluated. Characterization by DMTA and DSC showed an enhancement in miscibility of the PLA/NR-g-PVAc blend. The temperature of the maximum tan delta of the PLA decreased with increasing PVAc content in the graft copolymer, i.e., from 71 A degrees C (pure PLA) to 63 A degrees C (the blend containing 10 % G12). The increase in miscibility brought about a reduction in the rubber particle diameter. These changes were attributed to the enhancement of toughness and ductility of PLA after blending with NR-g-PVAc. Therefore, NR-g-PVAc could be used as a toughening agent of PLA and as a compatibilizer of the PLA/NR blend. NR mastication was an efficient method for increasing the toughness and ductility of the blends which depended on the blend composition and the number of mastications.
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