Radiation‐induced crosslinking and mechanical properties of blends of poly(lactic acid) and poly(butylene terephthalate‐co‐adipate)

Abstract

Blends of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly (butylene terephthalate-co-adipate) (PBTA) were prepared at ratios of 50 : 50, 60 : 40, and 80 : 20 by melt blending in a Laboplastomill. Improved mechanical properties were observed in PLLA when it was blended with PBTA, a biodegradable flexible polymer. Irradiation of these blends with an electron beam (EB) in the presence of triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC), a polyfunctional monomer, did not cause any significant improvement in the mechanical properties, although the gel fraction increased with the TAIC level and dose level. Irradiation of the blends without TAIC led to a reduction in the elongation at break (E b ) but did not show a significant effect on the tensile strength. E b of PBTA was unaffected by EB radiation in the absence of TAIC.

Highly Efficient Reinforcement of Poly-l-lactide Materials by Polymer Blending of a Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline Polymer

“…14 Sarath Kumara et al discussed the tensile elongation of PLLA/ poly(butylene terephthalate-co-adipate) (PBTA) blends for which cross-linking was induced by radiation in the presence of triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC). 15 Zhengyang et al also reported that the decrease in dynamic storage modulus around the R-relaxation temperature of PLLA became smaller in PLLA/ polycaprolactone (PCL) blends added with organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT). 16 Liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) have been utilized as modifiers of various polymers.…”

“…Ma et al reported on the increase in tensile elongation of PLA/poly(propylene carbonate) blends in terms of their partial compatibility . Sarath Kumara et al discussed the tensile elongation of PLLA/poly(butylene terephthalate- co -adipate) (PBTA) blends for which cross-linking was induced by radiation in the presence of triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC) . Zhengyang et al also reported that the decrease in dynamic storage modulus around the α-relaxation temperature of PLLA became smaller in PLLA/polycaprolactone (PCL) blends added with organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT)…”

Studies on the Uncrosslinked Fraction of PLA/PBAT Blends Modified by Electron Radiation

“…The influence of the electron radiation on the properties of blends of the biodegradable polymers (like PLA/PCL, PLA/PBAT or PHBV/PLA) [26][27][28] is even less recognized or totally unexplained. This statement does not apply to radiation sterilization processes that generally use low radiation doses that do not affect the properties and structure of polymers.…”