The effect of different compatibilizers agents on the nucleation and crystallization behaviour of poly (lactide)/poly (e-caprolactone) blends

Resum

In this work the effect of adding different kind of compatibilizers to poly (lactide) (PLA)/poly (ecaprolactone)(PCL) 80/20 bkebds gas been investigated, evaluating the results by SEM (Scanning Electron MIcroscopy), PLOM (Polarized Light Optical Microscopy), DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) and tensile tests.The addition of poly (lactide-ran-caprolactone), P(LA-ran-CL) to PLA/PCL blends does not improve the compatibility between PLA and PCL, however a plasticization effect, that increases the crystallization ability of the PLA phase, is induced. Such plasticization effect, can increases the spherulitic growth rate of PLA up to two or three fold as compared to neat PLA, depending on the Tg of the random copolymer employed. At the same time copolymer incroporation in the blends leads to an anti-plasticization effect of the PCL droplets, reducing their crystallization rate.