Improvement in Toughness and Crystallization of Poly(L-lactic acid) by Melt Blending with Poly(epichlorohydrin-co-ethylene oxide)

Melt blending of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(epichlorohydrin-co-ethylene oxide) copolymers (ECO) was performed to improve the toughness and crystallization of PLA. Thermal and scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated that PLA and ECO were not thermodynamically miscible but compatible to some extent. The addition of a small amount of ECO accelerated the crystallization rate and increased the final crystallinity of PLA in the blends. Significant enhancement in toughness and flexibility of PLA were achieved by the incorporation of the ECO elastomer. When 20 wt% ECO added, the impact strength increased from 5 kJ/m(2) of neat PLA to 63.9 kJ/m(2), and the elongation at break increased from 5% to above 160%. The failure mode changed from brittle fracture of neat PLA to ductile fracture of the blend. Rheological measurement showed that the melt elasticity and viscosity of the blend increased with the concentration of ECO. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 51:2370-2380, 2011. (C) 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers