Effects of Sequence Mixing of Stereocomplex Poly(Lactic Acid)/Propylene-Ethylene Copolymer Blends for Plastic Packaging

Jetawat  Wadputi; Palerat Wiriyakitkaset; Pattara Somnuake; Wikoramet Teeka; Sirirat Wacharawichanant

Authors

Jetawat Wadputi Silpakorn University, Thailand
Palerat Wiriyakitkaset Silpakorn University, Thailand
Pattara Somnuake Silpakorn University, Thailand
Wikoramet Teeka Silpakorn University, Thailand
Sirirat Wacharawichanant Silpakorn University, Thailand

Keywords:

Poly(Lactic Acid), Stereo complex, Propylene-Ethylene Copolymer

Abstract

This work examines the effect of sequence mixing stereocomplex poly(lactic acid) (Sc-PLA) on the thermal and mechanical properties of Sc-PLA/elastomer blends. In this study, PLA was melted and blended with poly(D-lactic acid) (PDLA) in an internal mixer at the ratios of 95/5, 90/10, and 85/15 by weight, and then the sample was molded by compression molding. The most significant improvement was found in blending 10 wt% PDLA. The results show the highest Young’s modulus at 2200 MPa from the neat PLA at 1800 MPa. The stereocomplex PLA/PDLA (Sc-PLA/PDLA) at proportion 90/10 wt% by being chosen blended with propylene-ethylene copolymer (PEC) elastomer to study the effect of sequence mixing of Sc-PLA/PDLA/elastomer blends on thermal and mechanical properties and the amount of PEC elastomer was fixed at 10 wt% in the mixture. The mechanical properties show results at 10% break elongation of Sc-PLA/PDLA/PEC blends that is higher than the others, which confirmed that PEC elastomer, which is improved features of Sc-PLA/PDLA flexibility blends and sequence mixing of PLA stereocomplex/elastomer blends affected to the mechanical properties. The result of thermal properties shows the sequence mixing of PLA stereocomplex/elastomer blends does not affect the melting temperature but affects the enthalpy (∆H_m-∆H_c) by Sc-PLA/PEC add PDLA significant decreasing at 23 J/g °C by the other conditions show about 28 J/g °C. It supports the sequence of mixing at Sc-PLA/PDLA/PEC mixed simultaneously, which is the best. The analysis results show that sequence mixing significantly affects polymer blends' properties, which can be applied to industrial processes.

Author Biographies

Jetawat Wadputi, Silpakorn University, Thailand

Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Technology, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom 73000 Thailand

Palerat Wiriyakitkaset, Silpakorn University, Thailand

Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Technology, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom 73000 Thailand

Pattara Somnuake, Silpakorn University, Thailand

Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Technology, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom 73000 Thailan

School of Integrated Science and Innovation, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT), Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 12121 Thailand

Wikoramet Teeka, Silpakorn University, Thailand

Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Technology, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom 73000 Thailand

Sirirat Wacharawichanant, Silpakorn University, Thailand

Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Technology, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom 73000 Thailand

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