BIODEGRADATION AND LIFE TIME OF SOY OIL BLENDED PLA AND RAMIE/PLA COMPOSITES

摘要

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable thermoplastic that can be produced from corn starch. It has not only high modulus and strength as well as biocompatibility, but also a brittle nature and a low toughness. The brittleness of PLA limits its general applications in extensive areas because it cannot provide high ductile performance in many cases. Many researchers have tried to improve its brittleness by blending the plasticizers such as citrate ester, oligomeric lactic acid, glycerol, polyethylene glycol, epoxidized soybean oil and etc..