Effect of Strain Rate on the Mechanical Properties of Crystallized Poly(L-lactide)

In this study, effects of strain rate on the mechanical properties of injection-molded poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) were investigated experimentally. The effect of crystallinity on the strain rate dependency of mechanical properties of PLLA was also examined by annealing the specimens at 70 and 130 °C for 24 hours. In order to characterize the mechanical properties, tensile and compressive tests were conducted. The results of tensile tests indicate that the Young's modulus kept constant up to strain rate of 10-1. On the other hand, tensile strength of non-annealing, 70°C-24h and 130°C-24 specimens increased with increasing strain rates up to 10-1, 10-2 and 10-3, respectively, and decreased or kept constant because of decrease in the fracture strain with increasing strain rate. The effect of strain rate became lower with increasing crystallinity, which means the strain rate dependency of the PLLA under tensile loading is more effective in the amorphous region. The results of compressive tests indicate that the compressive Young's modulus kept constant up to strain rate of 10-1. On the other hand, 0.2 % proof stress increased with increasing strain rate. This tendency was similar to the tensile test.