Composites composed of acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene copolymer (ABS) and poly(lactic acid) were prepared to develop ABS‐based automobile console boxes with improved environmental friendliness. ABS/PLA composites without any additives showed extremely poor mechanical properties. However, increase in the content of polybutadiene moiety of ABS and introduction of proper compatibilizer and heat stabilizer enhanced the mechanical properties of ABS/PLA composites significantly. Thermal stabilization effect of the heat stabilizer was assessed by determining the activation energy of thermal degradation, by measuring the molecular weight variation of PLA and by observing the morphology of the fractured surface. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012

Talc and talc modified with trimethoxy(octadecyl)silane (O-talc) were melt compounded with poly (L-lactide) (PLA). The crystallization behavior, tensile properties, and impact strength of the PLA composites were examined before and after the incorporation of talc and O-talc. The molecular weight of PLA in the PLA composites was measured as a function of the hydrolysis time and temperature. The effect of talc and O-talc on the thermal stability of PLA was examined and quantified by the activation energy of thermal degradation and the integral procedural decomposition temperature value determined from the corresponding thermo-gravimetric analysis weight loss profiles.