Technical renewable poly(L-lactide) (PLA)-based blends represent an elegant way to achieve attractive properties for engineering applications. Recently, the miscibility between PLA and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) gave rise to new formulations with enhanced thermo-mechanical properties but their high brittleness still remains a challenge to be overcome. This work here focuses on rubber-toughened PLA/PMMA formulations for injection-molding processes upon the addition of a commercially available ethylene-acrylate impact modifier (BS). The miscibility between PLA and PMMA is not altered by the presence of BS but the incorporation of BS (17% by weight) into a PLA/PMMA matrix could enhance both ductility and toughness of PLA/PMMA blends for PMMA content up to 50 wt %. An optimum range of particle sizes (d n 0.5 mm) of the dispersed domains for high impact toughness is identified. These bio-based ternary blends appear as promising alternatives to petro-sourced blends such as ABS-based blends in engineering injection-molding parts.
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