New thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) was developed by melt-blending of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with acrylic rubber (ACM) and ethylene-methacrylic acid ionomer with sodium ion (EMA-Na54%) at 210 °C for 10 min in composition of 40/60/6. Fracture surface images of SEM confirmed that the blends are immiscible, and rubber particles were dispersed in PLA matrix. PLA/ACM/EMA-Na54% showed low yield strength, low modulus and excellent strain recovery. Tensile strength of PLA/ACM/EMA-Na54% blend was improved by sulfur due to the increasing of crosslink inside of the rubber phase. The PLA/ACM/EMA-Na54% blend showed the increasing of melt-viscosity and the decreasing of melting temperature. It probably resulted from the improvement of interfacial reaction. FTIR results indicated that PLA does not react with ACM, while EMA-Na54% can react with both PLA and ACM, and Na~+ ion acts as catalyst for the reaction between PLA and ACM. This reaction was suggested to improve the mechanical properties of the blend.
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