Izod impact strength test

Physics

Dynamic mechanical analysis

Miscibility

Ultimate tensile strength

Tensile testing

Composite material

Materials science

Heat deflection temperature

Scanning electron microscope

Adipate

Polybutylene succinate

Differential scanning calorimetry

Polymer

Molding (decorative)

Thermodynamics

Materials

This study reports the effect of poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) on the mechanical performance and shape memory behavior of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) specimens that were manufactured by injection molding and hot-press molding. The poor miscibility between PLA and PBSA was minimized by the addition of an epoxy styrene-acrylic oligomer (ESAO), which was commercially named Joncryl®. It was incorporated during the extrusion process. Tensile, impact strength, and hardness tests were carried out following international standards. PLA/PBSA blends with improved mechanical properties were obtained, which highlighted the sample that was compatibilized with ESAO, leading to a remarkable enhancement in elongation at break, but showing poor shape memory behaviour. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) images showed how the ductile properties were improved, while PBSA loading increased, thus leading to minimizing the brittleness of neat PLA. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis revealed the low miscibility between these two polymers and the improving effect of PBSA in PLA crystallization. The bending test carried out on the sheets of PLA/PBSA blends showed the direct influence that the PBSA has on the reduction of the shape memory that is intrinsically offered by neat PLA.

Toughened Poly (Lactic Acid)—PLA Formulations by Binary Blends with Poly(Butylene Succinate-co-Adipate)—PBSA and Their Shape Memory Behaviour