Mechanical properties and crystallization behavior of poly(lactic acid) blended with dendritic hyperbranched polymer

Abstract

Abstract Mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blended with a small amount of dendritic hyperbranched polymer (DHP) were investigated. Effects of DHP and starch on mechanical properties of PLA were compared. DHP significantly improved tensile strength and elongation at break of PLA. A small amount of starch in PLA slightly improved PLA's elongation, but had no effect on tensile strength. Isothermal crystallization kinetics of PLA blended with DHP and starch were also studied. Both DHP and starch acted as nucleation agents and significantly increased crystallization rate and crystallinity of PLA. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry