Studies on Mechanical, Thermal, Optical, Physical Properties and Characterization of PLA - EVA blend Films with EGMA Compatibilizer
Abstract
In this research a possible route to improve the toughness of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) by blending it with poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) having vinyl acetate content of 18%. PLA/EVA blends of 80/20, 70/30, 60/40 and 50/50 wt% were prepared by melt blending technique using a twin screw extruder, and blown film extrusion was done using a tubular blown film extruder. Ethylene Glycidyl Methacrylate (EGMA) copolymers was used as a compatibilizer to improve compatibility of the blends. All the blend compositions are characterized by DSC. In the PLA-EVA blend, as EVA concentration increases the tensile strength, and tear strength decrease. However, these tensile and tear strength are sufficient for food packaging applications. Among the three compositions, 80:20 % (wt.) yields best results. The MFI decreases with increasing EVA as EVA has higher melt viscosity and low in MFI. The luminous transmittance was decreased. Water Vapour Transmission Rate (WVTR) also decreases with increasing EVA content, since EVA has higher barrier properties. 50:50 % composition shows lower WVTR as comparedto other compositions, although it has lower mechanical properties. The biodegradability rate is high in 80:20 % PLA-EVA composition due to high percentage of PLA compared to other PLA-EVA compositions.
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