Recycling and rheology of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) to make foams using supercritical fluid

Biodegradable plastics are thought to be the possible directions in managing plastic pollutions. Unfortunately, they not recycled most countries since designed decompose even though recycling is a more pragmatic method than landfill or incineration. Thus, it constructive develop methods recycle biodegradable yet recyclable plastics. In this study, we used cutlery with composite of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and talc. The possibility make foams was studied will have lowered mechanical strength from process as less significant for product. Tensile properties solid PLA showed no decrease up three processes compression molding foaming. We performed shear rheometry determine thermal stability dependences complex viscosity on frequency temperature. magnitude dramatically increased decreasing such an upturn temperature, but time-temperature superposition valid at high temperatures. extensional strain hardening, physical foaming using supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) could still occur, operating conditions obtain various foamed structures were determined. also compared effects one-directional against three-dimensional expansion. Overall, concentration CO2 crystallinity two key variables describe bulkiness foams. Surprisingly, lower concentration, bulkier any sorption temperature pressure.