Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Volcanic Particle Filled PLA/PBAT Composites

This study aims to investigate the influence of volcanic particles (VPs) incorporation on the thermal and mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid)/poly(butyleneadipate-co-terephthalate) (PLA/PBAT) blends. Compounding was carried out using a twin-screw micro-compounder and injection molding at various PBAT contents such as 10, 20, 30, and 40 wt%. Optimum PBAT content was determined according to tensile results. 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 wt% VP was incorporated into optimum PLA/PBAT blend. Thermal transitions and thermal decomposition behaviors were investigated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. Tensile tests were performed to analyze tensile modulus and tensile strength of VP filled PLA/PBAT composites. According to the DSC and TGA results optimum thermal properties of PLA/PBAT blends were determined with 30 wt% PBAT content. Mechanical properties were decreased with PBAT incorporation. VP filling in PLA/PBAT blend achieved optimum thermal and mechanical properties with 5 wt % VP content. (C) 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers