Biodegradability of PLA in compost environment

Qi Hong Liao, Yong Chao Jiang, Lih Sheng Turng, Chao Chan Chen

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Considering to environment issues, PLA is one of the most popular plastic and commonly used. This study is going to study the biodegradability after produced by compression molding and buried the specimens in the soil and compost condition within 7 weeks. The specimens was produced and followed pattern as following ASTM D882. Specimens are tested the changes of molecular weight, thermal properties and appearance week by week. The results show that PLA could be dissolved and disintegrated in the period. For the thermal properties, the decomposition temperature, Tg and Tm are all decreased by week and week. Molecular weight is conducted by GPC, it shows the molecular weight are dramatic decreasing from 115K to 5.1K of Mw within 7 weeks. PLA happens to absorbed moister, crystallized in high temperature, debonding, cracks, separated pieces, and disintegrated, and finally dissolved in the environment. So the PLA specimens are verified that PLA can absolutely and completely disintegration in the compost environment.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication75th Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition of the Society of Plastics Engineers, SPE ANTEC Anaheim 2017
PublisherSociety of Plastics Engineers
Pages410-414
Number of pages5
ISBN (Electronic)9780878493609
ISBN (Print)978-0-692-88309-9
StatePublished - 2017
Externally publishedYes
Event75th Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition of the Society of Plastics Engineers, SPE ANTEC Anaheim 2017 - Anaheim, United States
Duration: 08 05 201710 05 2017

Publication series

NameAnnual Technical Conference - ANTEC, Conference Proceedings
Volume2017-May

Conference

Conference75th Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition of the Society of Plastics Engineers, SPE ANTEC Anaheim 2017
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAnaheim
Period08/05/1710/05/17

Keywords

  • Biodegradability
  • Compost environment
  • Disintegrated
  • PLA

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