• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2014

In the present work, PLA/PBS blends with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) at different contents were processed by using a twin-screw extruder and an injection molding machine, and then their mechanical, thermal and morphological properties were investigated. The mechanical properties such as flexural strength, flexural modulus, tensile strength and tensile modulus and thermal properties such as melting behavior, dynamic mechanical thermal properties and thermal stability significantly depended on the contents of PLA and PBS. However, the heat deflection temperature of the blends was not significantly influenced by the contents of PLA and PBS. Also, the fracture surfaces of PLA/PBS blends were changed from a brittle pattern to a ductile pattern with increasing the PBS contents.

• Korea-Australia Rheology Journal
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.125-131
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• 2007

Biodegradable polymeric blends are expected to be widely used by industry due to their environmental friendliness and comparable mechanical and thermal properties. Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) are such biodegradable polymers which aim to replace commodity polymers in future applications. Since cost and brittleness of PLA is quite high, it is not economically feasible to use it alone for day to day use as a packaging material without blending. In this study, blends of PLA and PBS with various compositions were prepared by using a laboratory-scale twin-screw extruder at $180^{\circ}C$. Morphological, thermal, rheological and mechanical properties were investigated on the samples obtained by compression molding to explore suitability of these compositions for packaging applications. Morphology of the blends was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Morphology showed a clear phase difference trend depending on blend composition. Modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) thermograms of the blends indicated that the glass transition temperature ($T_g$) of PLA did not change much with the addition of PBS, but analysis showed that for PLA/PBS blend of up to 80/20 composition there is partial miscibility between the two polymers. The tensile strength and modulus were measured by the Instron Universal Testing Machine. Tensile strength, modulus and percentage (%) elongation at break of the blends decreased with PBS content. However, tensile strength and modulus values of PLA/PBS blend for up to 80/20 composition nearly follow the mixing rule. Rheological results also show miscibility between the two polymers for PBS composition less than 20% by weight. PBS reduced the brittleness of PLA, thus making it a contender to replace plastics for packaging applications. This work found a partial miscibility between PBS and PLA by investigating thermal, mechanical and morphological properties.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.49-56
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• 2011

Mulching technique is used to control the temperature and moisture content of soil by covering the ground surface. Most kinds of mulching film are made of polyethylene which is non-biodegradable synthetic polymer. Utilizing these films has been one of the main sources in soil pollution. Thus residual films under the ground should be removed after a certain period of time. Therefore, an alternative mulching material made of biodegradable functional paper is considered instead of non-biodegradable films. The mulching sheet produced from paper basis has a functionality to be naturally degraded and then recycled to the bio-materials on soil. In this study, the paper based-mulching sheet coated with biodegradable polymer was specially produced using a laboratory bar coater. Coating colors prepared by dissolving PBS/PLA in chloroform were applied to kraft paper. The mechanical strength and aging properties of this mulching sheet were investigated. The burst strength of polymer-coated paper was decreased with the increase of the PBS ratio in PBS/PLA blends, and, in particular, 30/70 blending condition led to good stability in heat-aging atmosphere for 60 days.