Super Toughened Poly(L-lactide)/Thermoplastic Polyurethane Blends Achieved by Adding Dicumyl Peroxide

Abstract

Dicumyl peroxide (DCP) was introduced into thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) toughened poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) blends. The results showed that the presence of DCP at relatively high concentration (0.2–0.5 wt.%) not only resulted in the homogeneous distribution of TPU particles with largely decreased particle size but also improved the interfacial interaction between PLLA and TPU components. Consequently, super toughened PLLA/TPU blends with largely enhanced impact strength were achieved successfully. The toughening mechanism was analyzed based on the impact-fractured surface morphologies of samples. Further enhanced impact toughness could be achieved by introducing crystalline structure to PLLA matrix, which was realized by annealing treatment.

Keywords:

• Annealing
• Impact toughness
• Morphology
• PLLA/TPU

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Prof. Qiang Fu and Prof. Wei Yang (Sichuan University, P.R. China) are greatly appreciated for DMA and rheological property measurements, respectively.

Notes

Color versions of one or more of the figures in the article can be found online at www.tandfonline.com/lpte.