Poly(lacticacid)/Polycaprolactone Blends Compatibilized with Block Copolymer

This research focused on using a block copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(propylene glycol) as a new type of compatibilizer in poly(lactic acid)/polycaprolactone (PLA/PCL) blends. The blends were prepared at 80/20 by a melt blending method, and concentrations of the block copolymer were varied from 0-10 phr. The resultant products were characterized in terms of morphology, mechanical, and thermal properties. It was found that the compatibilized blends exhibited a significant enhancement in tensile strain at break compared to that of the neat PLA/PCL blend, in which the highest strain was obtained at 7.5 phr of block copolymer. Tensile stress of the blends was however declined slightly. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.