Effect of amine-reactive elastomer on the properties of poly(lactic acid) films obtained by solvent-cast 3D printing

Abstract

© 2022 Society of Plastics Engineers.Blends of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and amine-terminated butadiene-acrylonitrile (ATBN) elastomer were prepared by solution with ATBN contents of 8–20 wt%. Films were molded by liquid deposition modeling 3D printing. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed that the terminal carboxylic groups of the PLA chains reacted with the terminal amino groups of ATBN. Water was the byproduct of this reaction, causing PLA hydrolysis and accelerating the reaction. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that components interaction caused a loss of PLA thermal stability. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the blends revealed a porous morphology and no phase separation. There was change in the elongation when compared with neat PLA. Although the addition of a telechelic elastomer could improve PLA toughness, any benefits arising from such addition seem to be neutralized by PLA chain scission due to hydrolysis and porosity, resulting from the condensation reaction.