In this work, improving the toughness of PLA materials through blending, particularly the impact properties of PLA blends through reactive blending, was studied in detail. Our novel PLA ternary blend system consisted of PLA, an epoxy-containing elastomer and an ionomer of the ethylene-methyacrylic acid copolymer. Mechanical, thermal dynamic mechanical properties and morphology of the blends were thoroughly studied. Blending temperature, elastomer/ionomer ratio, type of metal ions and neutralization degree of the ionomer all displayed significant effects on impact toughness of the ternary blends. Super toughness was successfully obtained for some of the blends. The crosslinking of the elastomer and reactive interfacial compatibilization between the crosslinked elastomer phase and the PLA matrix were noted to occur simultaneously during the blending. Zinc ionomer initiated and catalyzed the dynamic vulcanization of epoxy-containing elastomer and also promoted the reactive compatibilization at the interface between PLA and elastomer. TEM observation revealed that the 'salami'-like phase structure was formed in the ternary systems.

Ionomer promoted reactive blending for high impact poly(lactic acid) blends

244th National Meeting (2012)

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