Effect of compatibilizing agent on the properties of highly crystalline composites based on poly(lactic acid) and wood flour and/or mica

Abstract

This article contains a concept of the mechanical properties improvement of the highly crystalline poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and filled composites. PLA as a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer was plasticized with poly(ethylene glycol) and filled with 30 vol% of organic and/or inorganic filler. The degree of crytallinity was intentionally increased by annealing. The filler/polymer matrix interphase was modified with the addition of 4, 4'-Methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). The effect of compatibilizing as well as plasticizing agent on the thermal and mechanical properties, the water-absorption behaviour and crystallization characteristics were studied. The results indicated that high content of filler and crystallites have a strong influence on the composite's mechanical properties despite of the plasticizer content, showing a high Young modulus. The MDI seems to react in preference easy with plasticizing agent and then alternatively with filler due to the low functionality of commercial PLA grade.