(Plasticized) polylactide/clay nanocomposite textile: thermal, mechanical, shrinkage and fire properties

Various quantities of Cloisite (R) 30B (from 1% to 4% in weight) have been added to a polylactide matrix by melt blending to produce polylactide-based nanocomposites. Then, these blends have been melt-spun to produce multifilaments yarns. It is demonstrated that it is necessary to use a plasticizer to spin a blend with 4% in weight of Cloisite (R) 30B. The properties of these yarns have been studied (dispersion of the clay, thermal, mechanical and shrinkage properties). A decrease of the tensile properties is observed when the quantity of Cloisite (R) 30B increases, but an improvement of the thermal and shrinkage properties is highlighted. These multifilaments have been knitted and the flammability studied using cone calorimeter at 35 kW/m(2). A strong decrease, up to 38%, of the heat release rate has been measured.