Polymer blends containing poly (lactic acid) (PLA)

Melt blending of Poly (Lactic acid) with alginate-cellulose and the possible application have been studied. Polymer blends containing poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and cellulose - alginate was made by roll milling and hot pressing machines. Five different PLA composite specimens were prepared with different cellulose ¿ alginate mixture compositions (0.5%, 2%, 5%, 10% and 20% cellulose-alginate) to determine the mechanical and morphological characteristics. In this work, tensile and flexural strength were measured using a universal testing machine. In addition DSC, DMA and FTIR methods are used for further analysis of the prepared sample. The experimental results showed that the addition of cellulose ¿alginate to the PLA results in a reduction in the tensile and flexural strength but there is a bit increase in the tensile modulus. From the FTIR in this study, I have identified different functional groups. The results of DSC showed that there is an increase in the crystallinity.