Physical blends of PLA with high vinyl acetate containing EVA and their rheological, thermo-mechanical and morphological responses. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Singla, Rajendra Kumar; Zafar, Mohammad Tahir; Maiti, Saurindra N.; Ghosh, Anup K.
• Is Part Of: Polymer testing. Volume 63(2017)
• Page Start: 398
• Page End: 406
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Rheology -- Blends -- Morphology -- PLA -- EVA co-polymer; Polymers -- Testing -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Tests -- Périodiques; 620.1920287
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymertesting.2017.08.042
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0142-9418

Abstract

Abstract: Rheological, morphological and thermo-mechanical responses of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/ethylene- co -vinyl-acetate copolymer (EVA) blends at EVA volume fractions varying in the range of 0–0.35 were evaluated. The micro-structural analysis demonstrated dispersive mixing at low content andco-continuous morphology at 30 wt % of EVA in PLA. Dynamic rheology demonstrated enhanced storage modulus and complex viscosity (η*) with increase in frequency of the blends indicated strong phase interaction. Cole-Cole and Han plots indicated partial miscibility and incompatibility between the polymer matrix and the dispersed phase. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed slight increase in damping parameters which indicated interaction or reinforcement in the blends. Additionally, the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of the blends showed two step degradation and enhanced thermal stability.