pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: S21 - Special Symposium: Biopolymers, eco-friendly polymers and recycling
Poster Presentation
 
 

Partially Biodegradable Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)/ Polylactic Acid (PLA) Blends with Improved Impact Resistance

Cetin Fatma Nalan (1)*, Citak Mehmet Kerem (1), Durak Akkoyun Bahar (1), Ulcer Yakup (2), Menceloglu Yusuf Ziya (1)

(1) Sabanci University - Tuzla - Turkey, (2) Ravago Petrokimya Uretim A.S. - Kocaeli - Turkey

High-shear thermo-kinetic mixing and injection molding techniques were utilized in the preparation of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/ poly (lactic acid) (PLA) blend. High-shear thermo-kinetic mixer provided ease of processing without any need for compatibilizers. By the contribution of inherently biodegradable PLA, we produced partially biodegradable TPU blends. Further tensile, impact and biodegradation tests were applied for the characterization of the blends. According to our impact test results, we can claim that TPU/PLA blends showed high compatibility and exhibited enhanced mechanical properties. Briefly, the impact resistance of the blends increased as the w.t. % of the TPU in the TPU/PLA blend increased; a four-fold increase was recorded between the impact energies of the blends containing 50 w.t. % and 70 w.t. % TPU.