Binary and ternary poly(lactic acid)/poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) blends: The effects of oligo‐ϵ‐caprolactones upon mechanical properties

Abstract

Abstract Oligo‐ε‐caprolactones(o‐CL) have been utilized as principle secondary components within poly(lactic acid)[PLA]‐based blends as well as additives within larger‐sized PCL/PLA blends in an effort to fully complement the mechanical attributes of the respective polyesters. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis(DMTA) shows that the presence of o‐CL plasticizes the PLA non‐crystalline phase with a more pronounced effect seen as the size of o‐CL is reduced. Moreover, it appears that the size of o‐CL could also affect the static mechanical properties of the ternary systems as material stiffness and strength reside between those properties measured for high molecular weight PCL/PLA binary blends and the PLA homopolyester. Future work will examine the ability of these blends to sustain these properties during hydrolytic exposure.