2016•Energy ProcediaOpen access
Effect of Peroxide and Organoclay on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of PLA in PLA/NBR Melted Blend
Triwat Talbamrung, Chayannee Kasemsook, Worawit Sangtean, Sunantha Wachirahuttapong, Chanchai Thongpin
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Abstract
Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, NBR, was added to poly(lactic acid), PLA, in order to improve the brittleness of PLA. NBR with the content of CN 34% was melt blended into PLA. This work was carried out in three parts. NBR with the content of 5, 10, 15, 20, 15, 20, 25 and 30% by weight was melt blended in an internal mixer. The second part, PLA, with the same contents as the first part, was melt blended with NBR compound (using dicumyl peroxide, DCP as vulcanizing agent) was dynamic vulcanized by melt blending with PLA in an internal mixer. Organic modified montmorillonite (OMMT), Cloisite 30B®, was added into NBR together with DCP. Cloisite 30B filled NBR compound was dynamic vulcanized with PLA by melt blending in the internal mixer. In the third part, the composition of NBR added in the blend was at 20, 25 and 30% by weight. The results showed phase separation between PLA and NBR. Tensile strength and tensile modulus were found decreased with the content of NBR whereas elongation at break was increased with NBR content, up to 10% NBR, then the elongation was decreased. Thermal stability of PLA was enhanced by the addition of NBR. For dynamic vulcanized NBR in PLA, the two phases was shown more compatible. Tensile elongation of PLA/dynamic vulcanized NBR blend was improved about 700-1100% compared to neat PLA. It was found that at 20% of NBR tensile elongation was increased about 1120%. Tensile strength and modulus of thermoplastic vulcanizate of PLA/NBR (PLA/NBR TPV) were found decreased 37% and 65% respectively, compared to neat PLA. The PLA/NBR TPV showed drawback in crystallization meanwhile thermal stability was very much improved. In order to improve mechanical properties of PLA/NBR TPV, OMMT was added. The results showed that modulus and tensile strength were enhanced whereas elongation at break was suffered due to the distribution of OMMT. It was shown in the form of aggregate rather than intercalated and exfoliated.