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Thermal Characterization of Polyhydroxyalkanoates and Poly(lactic acid) Blends Obtained by Injection Molding |
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| Authors: | Nuno Calçada Loureiro Satyabrata Ghosh Júlio C Viana José Luis Esteves |
| Affiliation: | 1. Faculty of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal;2. ISVOUGA – Superior Institute of Douro and Vouga, Santa Maria da Feira, Portugalnuno.loureiro@fe.up.pt;4. IPC/I3N – Institute for Polymers and Composites, Polymer Engineering Department, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, Guimar?es, Portugal |
| Abstract: | In this work we present the thermal characterization of the full scope of polyhydroxyalcanoate and poly(lactic acid) blends obtain by injection molding. Blends of polyhydroxyalcanoate and poly(lactic acid) (PHA/PLA) were prepared in different compositions ranging from 0–100% in steps of 10%. The blends were injection molded and then characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). The increment of PHA fraction increased the degree of crystallinity of the blend and the miscibility of the base polymers as verified by the Fox model. The WAXD analysis indicates that the presence of PHA hindered the PLA crystallization. The crystallization evolution trough PHA weight fraction (wf) shows a phase inversion around 50-60%. SEM analyses confirmed that the miscibility of PHA/PLA blends increased with the incorporation of PHA and became total for values of PHA higher that 50%. |
| Keywords: | Biodegradable polymers Injection molding Morphology study Polymer blends and alloys Thermal properties |
