Effect of hydrolysis in respect of processability and performance characteristics of polylactic acid (PLA)

International Conference and Exhibition on Biopolymers & Bioplastics

August 10-12, 2015 San Francisco, USA

Simon McGowan, Daniela Jahn, Andrea Siebert-Raths and Hans-Josef Endres

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Material Sci Eng

Abstract :

In order to characterize the degree of hydrolysis of PLA (poly lactic acid) during thermal forming processes. Predefined granulates
with different degrees of moisture were used in thermal forming processes as extrusion and injection molding. The resulting
mechanical characteristic values from these experiments are tested via standard test bars. To obtain additional information about
the hydrolysis during melt injection process further studies were performed on the capillary rheometer. During the tests were also
different conditioned PLA granulates on different Test temperatures investigated. The results show that the level of moisture from
PLA is of significant importance for the processability as well as performance characteristics. Especially during the injection molding
process, the moisture content of the PLA indicates effects on the hydrolysis. In addition to the moisture content also the processing
temperature imply a strong influence on the hydrolysis.