Tailoring polylactide (PLA) properties for automotive applications: Effect of addition of designed additives on main mechanical properties

Delphine Notta-Cuvier (1) , Jérémy Odent (2) , Rémi Delille (1) , Marius Murariu (2) , Franck Lauro (1) , Jean-Marie Raquez (2) , Bruno Bennani (1) , Philippe Dubois (2)

1 LAMIH - Laboratoire d'Automatique, de Mécanique et d'Informatique industrielles et Humaines - UMR 8201
2 CIRMAP - Centre d'Innovation et de Recherche en Matériaux Polymères

Among currently available bio-based polymers, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has interesting physical and mechanical properties (high tensile strength and stiffness, good processability and biodegradability) but relatively low thermal stability, low toughness and is extremely brittle, all of which can be obstacles to industrial applications. The influence of several additives is investigated in this paper, the aim being to confer mechanical properties to PLA-based compositions suitable for potential use in automotive applications. Comparisons of their mechanical properties with those of a mineral filled polypropylene, as frequently used for automotive applications, show that PLA-plasticizer-impact modifier-nanoclay quaternary compositions represent interesting bio-based alternatives.

Mots clés: Poly(lactic acid); Automotive applications; Toughening; Plasticization; Nanoclay reinforcement

Domaines: Mécanique [physics.med-ph]

Delphine Notta-Cuvier, Jérémy Odent, Rémi Delille, Marius Murariu, Franck Lauro, et al.. Tailoring polylactide (PLA) properties for automotive applications: Effect of addition of designed additives on main mechanical properties. Polymer Testing, 2014, 36, pp.1-9. ⟨10.1016/j.polymertesting.2014.03.007⟩. ⟨hal-03619292⟩