The objective of this study is processing and characterization of Halloysite nanotube (HNT)/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanocomposites. As HNT filler, a domestic source was used (ESAN HNT). The results obtained from this HNT were compared with a well‐known reference HNT (Nanoclay HNT). To achieve the desired physical properties and clay dispersion, composites were compounded via direct melt mixing in a laboratory twin‐screw compounder. However, the constituents were observed to be incompatible without a compatibilizer. To improve the flexibility of nanocomposites and provide compatibilization between PLA and HNT, two types of blends were prepared: PLA plasticized with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) denoted as P‐PLA and PLA toughened with a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) denoted as T‐PLA. Despite the limited improvement in the P‐PLA blends, TPU addition improved the flexibility of PLA/HNT without deteriorating the tensile strength in a great manner. This was attributed to the relatively better compatibilization effect of TPU and the role of nanotubes acting as bridges between the TPU and PLA phases. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:3134–3148, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers

The objective of this study is to compare the mechanical properties, structure and degradability of the nanocomposites prepared with tubular nanofillers, halloysite (HNT) and carbon nanotube (CNT) in poly(lactic acid) (PLA), and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) toughened PLA (T‐PLA) matrices. In the PLA matrix, CNT increased, whereas HNT decreased the tensile strength with increasing filler content. Also, the elongation at break and impact strength decreased with increasing CNT content, but these properties were relatively unchanged with increasing HNT content. However, when (TPU) was used as an impact modifier‐compatibilizer, addition of HNT further increased the impact strength and the elongation at break of the matrix, since short and straight HNT fibers were pulled out from the extensible, toughened matrix. The long and curvy CNT fillers always caused brittle fracture and affected the impact strength and elongation at break in a negative manner as the CNT content was increased. Both types of fillers did not significantly influence the degradation of PLA or toughened PLA matrices. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2337–2346, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers