Characterization of the mechanical properties of PLA/PBAT blends modified with chain extenders

• Grant number: 13/05077-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2013
• End date: June 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Ana Rita Morales
• Grantee: Noêmi Rodrigues Lovato Assumpção
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Química (FEQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Poly (lactic acid) - PLA is a biodegradable promising material due to its relatively low production cost and versatility. Nevertheless it is rigid and brittle at room temperature causing limitation for some applications. In order to make PLA more flexible by reducing its glass transition temperature, blending it with some other polymers should be a viable alternative. Poly (butylene adipate co-terephthalate) - PBAT is one of these polymers that can be blended with the PLA. Because the compatibility or miscibility between these polymers is limited, the use of some additives is necessary. This work aims to study the properties and compatibility of PLA/PBAT blends and the influence of chain extender incorporation on these properties. Chain extenders are multifuncionalized chemical substances that can increase the molecular weight by covalent reaction and will be used to make a chemical interaction between the polymers PLA e PBAT in order to improve the compatibility of the blend. It is the theme of a Master's student project, and as a part of this project, the student of the Scientific Initiation program will be responsible for the mechanical properties analysis of the blends. She will also follow the thermal and morphology analysis to correlate and explain the obtained results. (AU)