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Rheological and mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid)/polystyrene polymer blend

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Abstract

Properties modification by blending polymers has been an area of immense interest. In this work, rheological and mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid)/polystyrene (PLA/PS) blends were investigated. PLA/PS blends in different ratios were prepared using a laboratory scale single screw extruder to obtain (3 mm) granules. Rheological properties were studied using a capillary rheometer and the Bagley’s correction was performed. True shear rate (γ r ), true shear stress (τ r ), and true viscosity (η r ) were determined, the relationship between true viscosity and (1/T) was studied for PLA70 blend and the flow activation energy at a constant shear stress (E τ ) and a constant shear rate (E γ ) was determined. The mechanical property measurements were performed at room temperature. Stress at break and strain at break were determined. The results showed that PLA/PS blend exhibited a typical shear-thinning behavior over the range of the studied shear rates, and the viscosity of the blend decreased with increasing PLA content. Also it was found that no equal-viscosity temperature exists between PLA and PS. The mechanical results showed immiscibility between PLA and PS in the blend.

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Acknowledgment

The authors are indebted to Kreem Industrial Establishment for the aid in designing of SHAM EXDRUDER 25D.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Laboratory of Materials Rheology (LMR), University of Damascus, P. O. Box 31513, Damascus, Syria

    Kotiba Hamad, Mosab Kaseem & Fawaz Deri

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  1. Kotiba Hamad
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  2. Mosab Kaseem
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  3. Fawaz Deri
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Correspondence to Kotiba Hamad.

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Hamad, K., Kaseem, M. & Deri, F. Rheological and mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid)/polystyrene polymer blend. Polym. Bull. 65, 509–519 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-010-0354-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-010-0354-2

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