Study of biobased shape memory polylactic acid/thermoplastic polyurethane (PLA/TPU) blends

Xin Jing, Hao Yang Mi, Lih Sheng Turng*, Xiang Fang Peng

*Corresponding author for this work

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

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper presents the development of shape-memory polymers (SMPs) based on polylactic acid (PLA) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) blends. PLA was melt blended with TPU at weight ratios of 20, 30, and 40%, and then injection molded and hot compressed into permanent shapes. Unlike most of the existing SMPs, all three PLA/TPU blends could be formed (via bending, folding, compression, stretching, etc.) into temporary shapes at room temperature without an extra heating step. Upon heating to above the glass transition temperature of PLA (at 70 °C), the deformed parts regained their original shapes quickly. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests showed that PLA and TPU were immiscible. The dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) data and the mechanical tests, including tensile, compression, and flexural tests, showed that the PLA/TPU with the 80/20 weight ratio had the best shape-memory properties, even if it was somewhat brittle. The 70/30 PLA/TPU blend had the best combination of shape recovery and mechanical properties.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationASME 2013 International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference Collocated with the 41st North American Manufacturing Research Conference, MSEC 2013
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes
EventASME 2013 International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference Collocated with the 41st North American Manufacturing Research Conference, MSEC 2013 - Madison, WI, United States
Duration: 10 06 201314 06 2013

Publication series

NameASME 2013 International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference Collocated with the 41st North American Manufacturing Research Conference, MSEC 2013
Volume1

Conference

ConferenceASME 2013 International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference Collocated with the 41st North American Manufacturing Research Conference, MSEC 2013
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityMadison, WI
Period10/06/1314/06/13

Keywords

  • Polylactic acid (PLA)
  • Shape-memory polymer blends
  • Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)

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