• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.333-341
• /
• 2000

Blends consisting of linear shape polylactic acid and star shape polylactic acid (L-PLLA/S-PLLA) have been prepared by melt and solution blending. The effect of blending method on the thermal properties and crystallization behavior of L-PLLA/S-PLLA blends has been investigated. The molecular weight decrease was revealed both in melt and solution blending. S-PLLA was found to be more stable than L-PLLA in the reduction of molecular weight during the course of blending due to its star shape structure. As a result, broad molecular weight distribution was obtained in solution blending. It was found that melting temperature and glass transition temperature decrease with increasing S-PLLA content. Blending method had large influence on the glass transition temperature of PLLA blends, while less effect on melting temperature. From DSC results, it can be noticed that solution blending is more effective blending method to obtain higher crystallinity than melt blending for S-PLLA and blend with higher S-PLLA content.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.198-203
• /
• 2005

Melt extrusion foaming process for the preparation of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) scaffolds was carried out and the effects of foaming conditions on the pore structure of PLLA scaffolds and their mechanical properties were investigated. The porosity and mechanical properties of fabricated scaffolds were compared with the scaffolds obtained from the salt leaching method as well. It was found that the optimum pore structure was achieved when the PLLA melt was kept in extruder for the maximum decomposition time of blowing agent. In order to maintain the proper scaffolds structure, the blowing agent content should be less than $10\;wt\%$. It can be concluded that melt extrusion foaming process allows for the production of scaffold having higher mechanical properties with reasonable pore size and open cell structure for hard tissue regeneration even though it has less porosity than scaffolds made by salt leaching process.

• Clean Technology
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.102-108
• /
• 2009

In this study, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was modified by reactive extrusion with a functional monomer GMA(glycidyl methacrylate), MMT(montmorillonite), and initiator to enhance the melt strength. Each modified PLA was prepared with different amounts of GMA and MMT and was characterized by measuring thennal- and melt-viscoelastic properties. The degree of dispersion of MMT was measured by X-ray diffraction(XRD) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). The glass transition temperature($T_g$) of modified PLA-GMA-MMT nanocomposite decreased with increasing GMA content, but was a little affected by the amount of MMT. Surface analysis showed that the nanocomposite became more intercalated than exfoliated as the amount of MMT increases. The complex viscosity and storage modulus of the nano-composite were greatly increased by addition of MMT.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.324-331
• /
• 2003

Particulate leaching method for the preparation of porous PLLA scaffolds was carried out and especially, the effect of PLLA/$CHCl_3$ solution concentration on the salt leaching rate and the pore structure of PLLA scaffolds were considered. It was found that maintaining lower PLLA/$CHCl_3$ concentration and higher $CHCl_3$ evaporation temperature in the preparation of PLLA/NaCl mixtures resulted in the enhancement of salt leaching rat e and higher porosity. This is understood that those conditions could minimize the formation of dense PLLA layer on the surface of PLLA/NaCl mixture as well as introducing better porosity on the surface. Higher salt leaching temperature accelerated the salt leaching rate but it seems that there is no influence on the porosity of PLLA scaffolds.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.449-456
• /
• 2014

Ternary blends of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), poly(${\varepsilon}$-caprolactone) (PCL) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) were produced with different concentrations of components via melt blending. By leaching the PEO from the samples by water, porous materials were obtained with potential application for bio scaffolds. Sample porosity was evaluated by calculating the ratio of porous scaffold density (${\rho}^*$) to the non-porous material density (${\rho}_s$). Highest porosity (51.42%) was related to the samples containing 50 wt%. of PEO. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies showed the best porosity resulted by decreasing PLLA/PCL ratio at constant concentration of PEO. Crystallization behavior of the ternary blend samples was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results revealed that the crystallinity of PLLA was improved by addition of PEO and PCL to the samples. The porosity plays a key role in governing the compression properties. Mechanical properties are presented by Gibson-Ashby model.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.448-453
• /
• 2023

This paper explores developing sustainable 3D printing filaments using organic soybean hulls mixed with polylactic acid (PLA). The study experiments with various particle sizes and mixing ratios, examining the physical and mechanical properties of the resulting filaments. Results show that smaller soybean hull particles and specific mixing ratios enhance the filament's quality while maintaining PLA's characteristics. This research signifies a step towards environmentally friendly 3D printing materials, offering a viable alternative to conventional filaments and addressing ecological concerns in the industry.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
• /
• v.30 no.4 s.152
• /
• pp.607-614
• /
• 2006

This study was carried out to suggest the optimal spinning process condition which provides a proper range of tenacity and biodegradability as textile fibers. The effects of the melt spinning speed and heat treatment on the mechanical property and biodegradability of polylactic acid fiber were investigated. Polylactic acid(PLA) was spun in a high spinning speed of $2000{\sim}4000m/min$. Each specimen was heat-treated at $100^{\circ}C$ during 30min. Mechanical properties such as breaking stress and the degree of crystallinity were evaluated using WAXS. Biodegradability was estimated from the decrease of breaking stress, weight loss, and the degree of crystallinity after soil burial. Experimental results revealed that heat treated specimens showed higher breaking stress than untreated specimens, but the increase was not so high as was expected from the remarkable change of crystallinity by heat treatment. It was concluded that breaking stress was more influenced by spinning speed than heat treatment. In the soil burial test, however biodegradability calculated from weight loss was more influenced by heat treatment than spinning speed.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.299-306
• /
• 2014

ZnO pillared saponite was synthesized via a microwave hydrolysis method. To enhance interfacial compatibility between zinc oxide (ZnO) pillared saponite and poly lactic acid (PLA), ZnO pillared organic saponite was prepared by intercalation modification of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. Moreover, PLA/ZnO pillared organic saponite nanocomposites were prepared by melting processing. The microstructure analysis of PLA/ZnO pillared organic saponite nanocomposites showed that ZnO pillared organic saponite was exfoliated and homogeneouslydispersed in PLA matrix. The property results showed that ZnO pillared organic saponite improved the mechanical properties and thermal stabilities of PLA/ZnO pillared organic saponite nanocomposites. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) demonstrated that ZnO pillared organic saponite restrained the appearance of cold crystallization, lowered the glass transition temperature and melting temperature of PLA, and improved the crystallinity of PLA. The results demonstrated that ZnO pillared organic saponite had a good interfacial compatibility and heterogeneous nucleation effect in PLA matrix, and also played an active role in accelerating the crystallization process of PLA.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.121-130
• /
• 2012

In the present study, bamboo/PLA biocomposites through injection molding process using extruded bamboo/PLA pellets with the fiber contents of 30, 40, and 50 wt% according to the presence and absence of bamboo fiber grinding, respectively, were fabricated and their mechanical, thermal, impact, and water absorption properties were explored. Compared to neat PLA, the flexural modulus, tensile modulus, storage modulus and impact strength of bamboo/PLA biocomposites were considerably increased. In particular, the moduli were further increased by introducing the ground bamboo fibers. In addition, use of the ground bamboo fibers was effective to enhance the long-term water resistance of the biocomposites. The heat treatment temperature of neat PLA was improved by 16% by incorporating the bamboo fibers and the fiber grinding effect was slight. The incorporation of the ground bamboo fibers to PLA did not influence the tensile strength and impact toughness of bamboo/PLA biocomposites.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.15 no.7
• /
• pp.4081-4086
• /
• 2014

Cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) is a biodegradable resin with excellent optical properties, but it is difficult to apply film process. In this study, an attempt was made to improve the processability of CAB using polyactic acid and the mechanical properties using an impact modifier. Polylacitc acid (PLA)/Cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) blends with an impact modifier were prepared using a twin screw extruder. The temperature range was $140^{\circ}C$ to $200^{\circ}C$, and the screw speed was fixed to 200 rpm. To evaluate the miscibility of impact modified CAB/PLA, the glass transition behavior and morphology were observed by DSC and FE-SEM. The mechanical properties were investigated by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and a Universal Testing Machine (UTM). In addition, the effect of an impact modifier in the polymer matrix was determined using a notched Izod impact strength tester. Finally, the PLA/CAB/impact modifier 75/25/10 ratio was found to be a compatible system. In the 10wt.% impact modifier, the sample had a 4 times higher izod impact strength than the non-toughening composition.