Investigation of the Effects of Carbonic Agent and Nanoclay on the Properties of the Polylactic Acid Based Nanocomposites

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the e ects of carbonic agent and nanoclay loading level on the properties of the added ame retardant and plasticized polylactic acid (PLA) composites. Pentaerythritol (PER) was used as a carbonic agent in the composites. The ammability behaviour of these composites was investigated with the increasing nanoclay loading level. Flame retardant properties of plasticized PLA composites, which consist of PER and nanoclay as a synergistic agent, were evaluated. While the nanoclay loading levels were changed between 1-5 wt% of these samples, PER loading levels were xed at 2 wt%. Besides, e ects of increased PER loading level were also investigated with 3 wt% clay loading. Samples were produced by extrusion and injection molding techniques. The morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties were studied. The ammability was evaluated by Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) and vertical burning test (UL-94). The results showed that the increased PER level did not signi cantly change LOI values of the PLA-based nanocomposites. In addition, the highest LOI value was observed as 32 for 1 wt% nanoclay including a sample. While adding PER to the PLA/PEG/TPP increased the elongation at break value, addition of the nanoclay decreased this value for nanocomposites.

Effect of eggshell and intumescent flame retardant on the thermal and mechanical properties of plasticised PLA

“…Hazer et al, in their study on plasticised PLA, added 20 wt-% APP to PLA/PEG and then compared the effects of decreasing APP proportions while increasing the ratio of nanoclay in an IFR. They have reported that 3.0 wt-% nanoclay including the IFR system for plasticised PLA showed a Vo rating in the UL-94 test and 32.9 for LOI [26]. The addition of the bio-filler eggshell to PLA composites is an innovative study and it is not reported in the literature.…”