Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is one of the most promising renewable polymers to be employed in the automotive sector 1. However, the heat deflection temperature and the impact properties should be improved. The reactive blending with polycarbonate (PC) in the presence of a catalyst was demonstrated to be a successful strategy2-3. This process was applied also to recycled-PC/ PLA blends and Recycled-PC/recycled-PLA blends. The blends were prepared in a laboratory extruder, tensile and impact properties were measured, and the phase morphology was also investigated by electron microscopy. Cellulose/polymer composites were also prepared by using PLA/PC blends as matrix. Fibers having different thickness and aspect ratio were selected and used as fillers in extrusion trials. The elastic modulus increased thanks to the reinforcing behavior of the fibers, showing the possibility of obtaining the necessary resistance in final items but with a reduced thickness, thus fostering the reduction of the vehicles weight.
Recycled-Poly(lactic acid)/Recycled-Polycarbonate blends and composites to foster the employment of ecological and renewable materials in the automotive field
COLTELLI, MARIA BEATRICE;GIGANTE, VITO;CINELLI, PATRIZIA;ANGUILLESI, IRENE;LAZZERI, ANDREA
2015-01-01
Abstract
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is one of the most promising renewable polymers to be employed in the automotive sector 1. However, the heat deflection temperature and the impact properties should be improved. The reactive blending with polycarbonate (PC) in the presence of a catalyst was demonstrated to be a successful strategy2-3. This process was applied also to recycled-PC/ PLA blends and Recycled-PC/recycled-PLA blends. The blends were prepared in a laboratory extruder, tensile and impact properties were measured, and the phase morphology was also investigated by electron microscopy. Cellulose/polymer composites were also prepared by using PLA/PC blends as matrix. Fibers having different thickness and aspect ratio were selected and used as fillers in extrusion trials. The elastic modulus increased thanks to the reinforcing behavior of the fibers, showing the possibility of obtaining the necessary resistance in final items but with a reduced thickness, thus fostering the reduction of the vehicles weight.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
