Electrospun Polylactide/Natural Rubber Fibers: Effect Natural Rubber Content on Fiber Morphology and Properties

Non-woven polylactide-natural rubber fiber materials with a rubber content of 5, 10 and 15 wt.% were obtained by electrospinning. The thermal, dynamic, and mechanical properties of the fibers were determined. It was shown that the average fiber diameter increased with adding of the NR content, while the linear and surface densities changed slightly. Using the differential scanning calorimetry, the thermal characteristics were obtained. It was found that the glass transition temperature of polylactide increased by 2-5 degrees C, and the melting temperature increased by 2-4 degrees C in the presence of natural rubber in the samples. By the method of electronic paramagnetic resonance at T = 50 and 70 degrees C it was determined that the mobility of the amorphous phase in PLA/NR fibers increased with the addition of NR. The adding of NR at a content of 15 wt.% increased the value of elongation at break by 3.5 times compared to pure PLA.

Automated summary

The study found that the addition of NR content results in an increase in the average fiber diameter, while the linear and surface densities show slight changes. Thermal characteristics analysis revealed that the glass transition temperature of PLA increased by 2-5 degrees C, and the melting temperature increased by 2-4 degrees C in the presence of natural rubber. Additionally, the elongation at break value increased by 3.5 times compared to pure PLA when NR content was 15 wt.%.