Correlation of Morphology and Viscoelastic Properties of Partially Biodegradable Polymer Blends Based on Polyamide 6 and Polylactide Copolyester

Abstract

The morphology and viscoelastic properties of newly prepared partially biodegradable polymeric blend based on polyamide 6 and commercially available co-polyester of polylactide, BioFlex®, were studied in this work. Observations by scanning electron microscopy and solvent extraction method, and rheological measurements were carried out for structural studies. Experimental data were compared with several semi-empirical models for determination of phase inversion concentration. The correlation between experimental data and models reveals the significant contribution of elasticity effect to interfacial adhesion between polyamide 6 and BioFlex, which seems to have influence on the phase inversion composition of the blends and co-continuous morphology formation.

Keywords:

• Bioflex
• Polyamide
• Polylactide co-polyester
• Polymer blend
• Rheological properties

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was financially supported by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic (ME09072) and Development for Innovations co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the national budget of the Czech Republic, within the framework of the project Centre of Polymer Systems (reg. number: CZ.1.05/2.1.00/03.0111). Furthermore, this work was co-supported by the Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS).