Microcellular processing of polylactide-hyperbranched polyester-nanoclay composites

Author: Pilla, Srikanth; Kramschuster, Adam; Lee, Jungjoo; Clemons, Craig; Gong, Shaoqin; Turng, Lih-Sheng; 

Date: 2010

Source: Journal of materials science. Vol. 45, no. 10 (May 2010): p. 2732–2746.

Publication Series: Miscellaneous Publication

Description: The effects of addition of hyperbranched polyesters (HBPs) and nanoclay on the material properties of both solid and microcellular polylactide (PLA) produced via a conventional and microcellular injection-molding process, respectively, were investigated. The effects of two different types of HBPs (i.e., Boltorn H2004® and Boltorn H20®) at the same loading level (i.e., 12%), and the same type of HBP at different loading levels (i.e., Boltorn H2004® at 6 and 12%), as well as the simultaneous addition of 12% Boltorn H2004® and 2% Cloisite®30B nanoclay (i.e., HBP–nanoclay) on the thermal and mechanical properties (both static and dynamic), and the cell morphology of the microcellular components were noted. The addition of HBPs and/or HBP with nanoclay decreased the average cell size, and increased the cell density. The stress–strain plots of all the solid and microcellular PLA-H2004 blends showed considerable strain softening and cold drawing, indicating a ductile fracture mode. Among the two HBPs, samples with Boltorn H2004® showed higher strain-at-break and specific toughness compared to Boltorn H20®. Moreover, the sample with Boltorn H2004® and nanoclay exhibited the highest strain at-break (626% for solid and 406% for microcellular) and specific toughness (405% for solid and 334% for microcellular). Finally, the specific toughness, strain-at-break, and specific strength of microcellular samples were found to be lower than their solid counterparts.

Keywords: Clay, injection molding of plastics, crosslinking, plastics, extrusion, wood-plastic composites, composite materials, mechanical properties, thermoplastic composites, recycled products, recycling, polyesters, fracture mechanics, strains, stresses, maleic anhydride, nanocomposites, nanoclay, wood-plastic materials, thermal degradation, biocomposites, microcellular injection molding, strength

Publication Notes:

• We recommend that you also print this page and attach it to the printout of the article, to retain the full citation information.
• This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain.

XML: View XML

Citation:

---

Pilla, Srikanth; Kramschuster, Adam; Lee, Jungjoo; Clemons, Craig; Gong, Shaoqin; Turng, Lih-Sheng; 2010. Microcellular processing of polylactide-hyperbranched polyester-nanoclay composites. Journal of materials science. Vol. 45, no. 10 (May 2010): p. 2732–2746.

For further details log on website :

http://www.treesearch.fs.fed.us/pubs/37760