Mechanical, thermal and rheological investigation of poly(lactic acid)(PLA)/poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) blend within its synergistic elongation effect region

Abstract

A mathematical Design of Experiments (DOE) was structured to consider the interactive effects of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), triethyl citrate (TC) plasticiser, and epoxy functionalised styrene acrylate (ESA) within the synergistic elongational region of the PLA-PHBV blend (PLA/PHBV of 70/30 to 90/10 ratios). Twelve blends were prepared via twin screw extrusion process. Mixture design showed that PLA and TC content has the highest and ESA content has the lowest total effectiveness. The optimal values for the lowest cost and highest elongation at break and the elongational viscosity were reached at PLA/PHBV/plasticiser/ESA content of 0.574/0.3/0.113/0.012 wt%. Rheological studies showed the blends with the highest elongational viscosity were suitable for blown film extrusion.

Keywords

• biodegradable polymers
• polymer blends and alloys
• mechanical properties
• pla-phbv blend
• synergistic elongational effect