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Optimization of Thermoplastic Blend Matrix HDPE/PLA with Different Types and Levels of Coupling Agents
Alessia Quitadamo1,2, Valérie Massardier3, Carlo Santulli4
1Department of Chemical and Material Engineering, Università di Roma La Sapienza, via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy. alessia.quitadamo@uniroma1.it.
Abstract:
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and poly(lactic) acid (PLA) blends with different ratios of both polymers, namely, 30:70, 50:50, and 70:30, were produced. Polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride and a random copolymer of ethylene and glycidyl methacrylate were also considered as compatibilizers to modify HDPE/PLA optimal blends and were added in the amounts of 1, 3, and 5 wt.%. Different properties of the blends were evaluated by performing tensile tests and scanning electron microscopy to analyze blend and interfaces morphology. Moreover, thermomechanical analysis through differential scanning calorimetry, thermo-gravimetric analysis, and infrared spectroscopy were also performed. The blend containing equal amounts of HDPE and PLA seemed to present a good balance between amount of bio-derived charge and acceptable mechanical properties. This suggests that these blends have a good potential for the production of composites with lingo-cellulosic fillers.
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