See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/265731264

Blend of Polypropylene/Poly(lactic acid) for Medical Packaging Application:

Physicochemical, Thermal, Mechanical, and Barrier Properties

Article  in  Energy Procedia · December 2014

DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2014.07.150

CITATIONS READS

43 692

4 authors, including:

Panuwat Suppakul Duangduen Atong

Kasetsart University National Metal and Materials Technology Center
77 PUBLICATIONS   1,693 CITATIONS    115 PUBLICATIONS   805 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Asst.Prof.Dr.Chiravoot Pechyen
Thammasat University
71 PUBLICATIONS   333 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Ceramic reinforced geopolymer composites View project

Color sensor View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Panuwat Suppakul on 13 February 2015.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Available online at www.sciencedirect.com

ScienceDirect
Energy Procedia 56 (2014) 201 – 210

11th Eco-Energy and Materials Science and Engineering (11th EMSES)

Blend of polypropylene/poly(lactic acid) for medical packaging

application: physicochemical, thermal, mechanical,
and barrier properties
Nalin Ploypetcharaa, Panuwat Suppakula,b, Duangduen Atongc, Chiravoot Pechyena,b,*
a
Department of Packaging and Materials Technology, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
b
Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food, KU Institute for Advanced Studies, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900,
Thailand
c
National Metal and Materials Technology Center, Thailand Science Park, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand

Abstract

The effect of polypropylene/poly(lactic acid) weight ratios on the properties of blend films compatilized with polypropylene-
grafted-maleic anhydride were investigated with 100:0, 60:40, 50:50, 40:60, and 0:100 of weight ratio. The blend films were
prepared by melt mixing technique and cast film extrusion. The results shown that the FTIR spectrum was confirmed the
interaction between compatibilizer and polymers. Morphological investigation was distinctly seen a two phases system between
polypropylene and poly(lactic acid). Increasing of PLA content from 40 to 60 wt.% resulting in decreased melting temperature
and crystallinity from 158 °C to 154 °C and 38% to 31%, respectively. For tensile properties, modulus and tensile strength
increased with increasing the PLA content, while elongation at break was drastically decreased from 500% (polypropylene) to
less than 50% (blends). The barrier properties indicated that incorporation of poly(lactic acid) into polypropylene tend to
increased water vapor permeability while oxygen permeability was decreased. From the morphology, thermal, mechanical, and
barrier results, the polypropylene/poly(lactic acid) blends showed a typical immiscible polymer blend.
©©2014
2014Elsevier
The Authors. Published
Ltd. This is an openbyaccess
Elsevier Ltd.
article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
Peer-review under responsibility of COE of Sustainalble Energy System, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/).
(RMUTT). under responsibility of COE of Sustainalble Energy System, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT)
Peer-review

Keywords: Film; Polylactic acid; Polymer blend; Polypropylene

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +662-562-5295; fax: +662-562-5046.

E-mail address: chiravoot.p@ku.ac.th

1876-6102 © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of COE of Sustainalble Energy System, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT)
doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2014.07.150
202 Nalin Ploypetchara et al. / Energy Procedia 56 (2014) 201 – 210

1. Introduction

Blending polymer is a simple technique to enhance the property of pure polymer. The benefits of blending are
providing new materials with desired properties at the low price, quick formulation changes, plant flexibility and
high productivity and reduction of the number of grades that need to be manufactured and stored [1]. From those
advantages, polymer blending is widely used in polymer consumption such as packaging, textile, and engineering
industries. However, the properties of polymer blend are limited by immiscibility between neat polymers. To solve
this problem, compatibilizers are often used as additives to improve the compatibility of immiscible blends. The
compatibilization could achieve optimization of the interfacial tension, stabilize the morphology and enhance
adhesion between the phases in the solid state. Graft copolymers with reactive functional compounds, such as
polypropylene-grafted-maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA), are also used as compatibilizers. PP-g-MA has been
established as an effective compatibilizer for blending polypropylene (PP) with polar polymers [2-4], which the PP
part of the PP-g-MA is compatible with PP, and the anhydride part reacts with the polar component.
In this work PP and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) were chosen as raw materials on fabrication of PP/PLA blend films
due to tough-brittle properties of PP and PLA. Blends of PP and PLA may be an alternative for biodegradable
materials because of the blends may have biodisintegration characteristics since PLA is biodegradable. The PP/PLA
blend films were prepared with constant load of compatibilizer and investigated the effect of PP/PLA weight ratios
on their properties.

2. Methodology

2.1. Materials

PP (EL-PRO™ P600F) was obtained from SCG Chemicals (Thailand). PP-g-MA (DuPont™ Fusabond® P613),
as a reactive compatibilizer, was obtained from Chemical Innovation (Thailand). PLA (Ingeo™ Biopolymer 4043D)
of Natureworks was supplied by BC polymers marketing (Thailand).

2.2. Samples Preparation

Table 1. Material formulations in blends preparation.

Sample PP (wt.%) PLA (wt.%) PP-g-MA (phr)

PP 100 - -
PLA - 100 -
PP/PLA (60:40) 60 40 3
PP/PLA (50:50) 50 50 3
PP/PLA (40:60) 40 60 3

PP and PLA were blended at different weight ratios with twin screw extruder (Labtech Engineering LTE 20-40).
Before extrusion, all materials were dried at 80 ºC for 12 hr. The temperature and screw speed were set at 210 ºC
and 25 rpm, respectively. The composition of the blends was given in Table 1.
The blends films were prepared by using cast film extruder (5-layer-flat-film & sheet coextrusion line,
COLLIN®). The die temperature, chill roll temperature, and screw speed were set at 170 ºC, 50 ºC, and 50 rpm,
respectively.

2.3. Characterizations

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic measurements were performed using a FTIR spectrometer
(Bruker TENSOR 27). The interactions among the PP, PLA and compatibilizer were studied within the range 4000 -
400 cm-1.
 Nalin Ploypetchara et al. / Energy Procedia 56 (2014) 201 – 210 203

Morphological characterization of PP/PLA blend films was viewed under a scanning electron microscopy.
Surface and longitudinal fractured surface were determined with Philip XL30 and JEOL JSM-6610LV, respectively.
The samples were fractured in liquid nitrogen and gold-coated to avoid electrostatic charging during analysis. The
spherulitic morphology of polymer and blend samples was performed on thin films using an optical microscope
(OM).
Thermal analysis was carried out using differential scanning calorimeter and thermogravimetric analyzer (Mettler
Toledo TGA/DSC1 STARe, Switzerland). The average weight of sample approximately 8 mg. For differential
scanning calorimetry (DSC), the samples were heated from room temperature to 200 ºC at 5ºC/min, held for 10 min
to remove the thermal history. Subsequently, the samples were cooled to -30 ºC at a cooling rate of 5 ºC/min and
heated again to 200 ºC at 5 ºC/min under constant nitrogen flow. The second heating scans were used for analysis
and percentage crystallinity (Xc) was calculated by using equation 1. Where ¨Hm is the measured melting enthalpy,
¨Hc is the cold crystallization enthalpy, ¨H*m,PP and ¨H*m,PLA are the melting enthalpy of pure polymer with
complete crystallinity (188.9 J/g and 93, respectively) [5], and w is the weight fraction of PP and PLA in the
sample.

¨Hm - ¨Hc
Xc ሺ% crystallinityሻ= ( )×100 (1)
wPP ¨H*m,PP + wPLA ¨H*m,PLA

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to detect the degradation temperature (Td) of neat PP, PLA, and
their blends. Samples were heated from 40 to 600 ºC at a heating rate of 10 °C/min under a nitrogen atmosphere.
The flow rate of nitrogen was maintained at 20 mL/min.
Tensile properties of samples were measured at room temperature using a universal testing machine (Instron
model 5965) according to ASTM D882 with a gauge length of 50 mm. Crosshead speed and load cell were 50
mm/min and 5 kN, respectively. The average values of at least five tests were reported.
Barrier properties of blend films were studied in terms of oxygen permeability (OP) with Illinois Instruments
8500 oxygen permeation analyzer and water vapor permeability (WVP) by Desiccant Method according to ASTM
E96. For WVP measurement, approximately 80 g of silica gel were used as the desiccant material, while the
temperature was set to 23°C with a relative humidity of 50%.

3. Results and disscusions

3.1.FTIR studies

Fig.1. Comparison of the FTIR spectra of (a) PP; (b) PLA; (c) PP/PLA (60:40); (d) PP/PLA (50:50); (e) PP/PLA (40:60).

The transmittance bands corresponding to PP (Fig. 1(a)) at 2950-2838, 1455-1453, and 1376 cm-1 were assigned
204 Nalin Ploypetchara et al. / Energy Procedia 56 (2014) 201 – 210

to CH stretching, CH3 bending, and C-H bending, respectively [6]. Fig. 1(b) depicts the FTIR spectra of PLA,
transmittance bands at 1749, 1181, and 1080 cm-1 referred to C=O stretching, symmetric COC stretching, and
asymmetric CH3, respectively [7]. The transmittance bands that represents PP and PLA were observed in the
PP/PLA blends (Fig. 1(c-e)) around 2950-2838, 1456-1454, 1376, 1183-1182, and 1086-1184 cm-1. Existence of
PP-g-MA, which characteristic spectrum has the strong peaks between 1800 cm-1 and 1700 cm-1 [8-10], could
improve the compatibility of PP/PLA blends through PP part of PP-g-MA is compatible with the PP and the active
site in the anhydride group reacts with the carbonyl group of PLA that results in the ester linkage.

Fig.2. FT-IR spectra of samples in the region 1800-1700 cm-1 of

(a) PP; (b) PLA; (c) PP/PLA (60:40); (d) PP/PLA (50:50); (e) PP/PLA (40:60).

The disappearance of the anhydride peaks of PP-g-MA and the appearance of ester linkage in the FTIR spectra of
the blends indicated interaction between PP, PLA, and PP-g-MA [11]. Confirmation of the blend components
interaction in this study was observed by representing of the ester linkage at 1756-1755 cm-1 (Fig. 2(c-e)). The level
of attractive interaction can also be seen in an increase in the intensity of characteristic absorbance (A) bands [12],
which A is defined as the negative logarithm of the transmittance (T) or A is inverse relation with T [13]. Intensity
reduction of ester linkage transmittance band with increasing of PLA ratio in the blends corresponded to lower
content of ester linkage formation [14]. The absence of this peak could explain the occurrence of thermal chain
scission at CO bond. Hence, the ester hydrogen transfer of PLA was proposed. According to these observations,
we believe that as PLA, OC=O hydrogen transfer reaction can also happened on the blends surface [15].

3.2. Morphological investigation

From Fig. 3, the surface of PLA films seem to looks smoother than any other samples. To compare SEM
micrographs of pure polymer film with that of PP/PLA blend films, the surface of the blends become rougher after
blending. The multilayer system, physically phase separation between PP phase and PLA phase, was clearly shown
in SEM micrographs of longitudinal fractured surface that is a typical behavior of immiscible polymer blends [16].
Fig. 4 depicts the spherulitic morphology of pristine PP and PP/PLA blends, while crystallization of PLA was not
observed (figure not shown). It was clearly illustrated that the blend composition has a significant effect on the
nucleation density. The nucleation density decreased with increasing proportion of PLA in the blends by reason of
non-crystallizable polymer disturbing on the spherulite formation [17]. This result was consistent with crystallinity
data from DSC analysis (discussed in the next section).
 Nalin Ploypetchara et al. / Energy Procedia 56 (2014) 201 – 210 205

(a) PP

(b) PLA

(c) PP/PLA (60:40)

(d) PP/PLA (50:50)

(e) PP/PLA (40:60)

Fig.3. SEM micrographs of the surface (left) and longitudinal fractured surface (right) of
(a) PP; (b) PLA; (c) PP/PLA (60:40); (d) PP/PLA (50:50); (e) PP/PLA (40:60).
206 Nalin Ploypetchara et al. / Energy Procedia 56 (2014) 201 – 210

(a) PP (b) PP/PLA (60:40)

(c) PP/PLA (50:50) (d) PP/PLA (40:60)

Fig.4. Spherulitic morphology of (a) PP; (b) PP/PLA (60:40); (c) PP/PLA (50:50); (d) PP/PLA (40:60).

3.3. Thermal properties

Table 2. DSC Analysis of PP, PLA and PP/PLA blends.

Sample Tg (°C) Tc (°C) Tm (°C) ¨Hc(J/g) ¨Hm (J/g) Xc,blend (%)

PP - 117.69 159.96 - 81.93 43.37
PLA 56.00 - 154.98 30.95 31.72 0.83
PP/PLA (60:40) 52.48 118.28 157.96 3.00 60.20 38.00
PP/PLA (50:50) 53.56 118.34 156.77 9.97 58.19 34.21
PP/PLA (40:60) 53.07 118.56 154.01 14.45 55.23 31.04

DSC measurements indicate that the melting temperature (Tm) values of the blends decrease with increasing of
PLA content. In the crystalline/amorphous immiscible blend system, the presence of separate domains of PLA
(amorphous component) in the molten PP (crystalline component) during the crystallization process may cause a
depression of the observed Tm [16]. As shown in Table 2, glass transition temperature (Tg) of PLA in the blends
slightly decrease compared with pure PLA, whereas no significantly changed for crystallization temperature (Tc).
Since in non-compatible blends the phase were physically separated, the same heterogeneities that nucleate the
homopolymer at Tc of pure polymer may nucleate the stability of crystalline matrix during cooling from melt phase
[18]. Therefore, Tc values of the blends were similar to those of the pure component.
The Xc value of the blends decrease with increasing of PLA content. Such a result was probably due to the
decreasing in primary crystalline density of PP phase and the increasing in the interlamellar amorphous regions,
which inhibited the crystallization process [19].
The thermal degradation of all the samples was shown in Fig. 5. Unlike the neat PP and PLA, two-step
degradation process in immiscible polymer blends was clearly seen in PP/PLA blends [20]. The percentage weight
loss in the first and second decomposition step related to the amount of PLA and PP. The onset temperature of
thermal degradation (Td,onset) and decomposition temperature range for polymer are essential for evaluating its
thermal stability and thermal sensitivity, respectively [21]. PLA was more thermal stable than PP, which Td,onset of
PLA was 331 °C whereas Td,onset of PP was 318 °C. The incorporation of PLA lead to the increasing of Td,onset to 330
 Nalin Ploypetchara et al. / Energy Procedia 56 (2014) 201 – 210 207

°C in the blends. Similarly, an increasing of decomposition temperature ranges from 318-438 °C in PP to 330-476
°C in the blends were observed. According to the above mentioned, blending of PP and PLA resulted in an
enhancement in the thermal stability and thermal sensitivity. However, there were no significant changes in Td,onset
and decomposition temperature range with varying of PP/PLA blend ratios.

Fig.5. TGA curves of (a) PP; (b) PLA; (c) PP/PLA (60:40); (d) PP/PLA (50:50); (e) PP/PLA (40:60).

3.4. Tensile properties

Fig. 6 displays the effect of PLA content on Young’s modulus and tensile strength. An increasing trend of
Young’s modulus was observed with increasing of PLA content. In general, tensile strength could be improved by
incorporation of PLA in PP matrix [22]. The reduction of tensile strength in the blends, compared to the pure
polymers, may caused by the incompatibility between nonpolar PP and polar PLA. Non-compatible polymer blend
eventuating in sharp boundaries between the two polymeric phases, which the applied stress could not be efficiently
transferred through the interface of blended component [11, 23]. This kind of results that the tensile strength values
of the blend are lower than pure polymer could be seen in typical immiscible polymer blend [24].
Percentage elongation at break (Fig. 7) decrease when increase PLA content to the blend film which revealed the
change from ductile to brittle deformation. This is due to the fact that PLA has low percentage elongation compared
to PP and the incompatibility between PP and PLA. As a result, the PP phases in PP/PLA blends are not completely
stretched compared to the pure polymers which lead to a decrease of the elongation at break [25, 26].

Fig.6. Modulus and Tensile strength of PP, PLA, and difference ratio of PP/PLA blends.
208 Nalin Ploypetchara et al. / Energy Procedia 56 (2014) 201 – 210

Fig.7. Elongation at break of PP, PLA, and difference ratio of PP/PLA blends.

3.5. Barrier properties

Permeation studies on PP/PLA blend films have shown that no significant improvement in oxygen and water
vapor barrier properties. There were not much difference in oxygen permeability (OP) and water vapor permeability
(WVP) between PP and PP/PLA blends (Fig. 8), compared to the values of pure PP and PLA. Nevertheless, in case
of PP/PLA blend (50:50), OP and WVP values were lower than any other blend formulations. This result was
probably due to well-dispersed structure of PP/PLA blend (50:50) as shown in Fig. 3(d). In immiscible system, well-
dispersed structure could provide barrier properties by increasing the pathway length for permeants diffusing
through the blend. The longer pathway causes a depressing of the concentration gradient of the permeates, thus
reducing the permeability of material [27].

Fig.8. Barrier properties of PP, PLA, and difference ratio of PP/PLA blends.

4. Conclusion

The PP/PLA blend films compatibilized with PP-g-MA prepared by melt mixing technique and cast film
extrusion. Increasing the PLA content lead to decrease Tm and crystallinity of blend films. For tensile properties,
modulus and tensile strength increased with increasing the PLA content, but elongation at break was extremely
decreased. The interestingly results from water vapor permeability testing observed that PLA could improved water
vapor permeability of blend films. This indicated that biodegradability of PP might be improve with incorporation
of PLA. From the morphology, thermal, mechanical, and barrier results, PP/PLA blend showed a typical behavior of
 Nalin Ploypetchara et al. / Energy Procedia 56 (2014) 201 – 210 209

immisible polymer blend. The optimal blend ratio for medical packaging application was PP/PLA blend 50:50 due
to its highest barrier properties, compared to other blend, that could be reduce contamination of environmental
microorganisim. PP/PLA blend in ratio of 50:50 are ideal for bacterial prevention outside of the medical industry as
well. Blends film acts as a barrier which inhibits mildew and bacteria growth in duct work for hospital and medical
system. Additionally, antimicrobial protection can be incorporated in various industries.

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Graduate School Kasetsart University Grant;
Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute (KURDI) and NSTDA-University-Industry Research
Collaboration (NUI-RC). We also acknowledge the Active-Intelligent Packaging & Advanced Polymer Composite
Materials Research Group.

References

[1] Utracki LA. Chapter 1 introduction to polymer blends. In: Utracki LA, editor. Polymer blends handbook, Netherlands: Kluwer Academic
Publishers; 2002, p. 1-122.
[2] Yoo TW, Yoon HG, Choi SJ, Kim MS, Kim YH, Kim WN. Effects of compatibilizers on the mechanical properties and interfacial tension of
polypropylene and poly(lactic acid) blends. Macromolecular Research 2010;18:583-8.
[3] Park DH, Kim MS, Yang JH, Lee DJ, Kim KN, Hong BK, Kim WN. Effects of compatibilizers and hydrolysis on the mechanical and
rheological properties of polypropylene/EPDM/poly(lactic acid) ternary blends. Macromolecular Research 2011;19:105-12.
[4] Lee HS, Kim JD. Effect of hybrid compatibilizers on mechanical property of ternary blend with polypropylene, poly (lactic acid) and
toughening modifier. Polymer Composites 2012;33:1154-61.
[5] Sim KJ, Han SO, Seo YB. Dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of Red Algae fiber reinforced poly(lactic acid) biocomposites.
Macromolecular Research 2010;18:489-95.
[6] Riga A, Collins R, Mlachak G. Oxidative behavior of polymers by thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis and pressure
differential scanning calorimetry. Thermochimica Acta 1998;324:135-49.
[7] Hoidy WH, Ahmad MB, Jaffar Al-Mulla EA, Ibrahim NAB. Preparation and characterization of polylactic acid/polycaprolactone clay
nanocomposites. Applied Sciences 2010;10:97-106.
[8] Bikiaris DN, Vassiliou A, Pavlidou E, Karayannidis GP. Compatibilisation effect of PP-g-MA copolymer on iPP/SiO2 nanocomposites
prepared by melt mixing. European Polymer Journal 2005;4:1965-78.
[9] Sclavons M, Carlier V, De Roover B, Franquinet P, Devaux J, Lecras R. The anhydride content of some commercial PP-g-MA: FTlR and
titration. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 1996;62:1205-10.
[10] Li Q, Wu C, Zhu P. Effect of maleic-anhydride-grafted polypropylene as a compatibilizer on the properties of polypropylene/(modified
carbon black) composites. Journal of Vinyl and Additive Technology 2011;17:260-4.
[11] Choudhary P, Mohanty S, Nayak SK, Unnikrishnan L. Poly(L-lactide)/polypropylene blends: evaluation of mechanical, thermal, and
morphological characteristics. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 2011;121:3223-37.
[12] Kusmono, Mohd Ishak ZA, Chow WS, Takeichi T, Rochmadi. Influence of SEBS-g-MA on morphology, mechanical, and thermal
properties of PA6/PP /organoclay nanocomposites. European Polymer Journal 2008;44:1023-39.
[13] Sherman Hsu C.-P. Chapter 15 infrared spectroscopy. In: Settle FA, editor. Handbook of instrumental techniques for analytical chemistry,
United States of America: Prentice Hall PTR; 1997, p. 247-83.
[14] Phua YJ, Chow WS, Mohd Ishak ZA. Reactive processing of maleic anhydride-grafted poly(butylene succinate) and the compatibilizing
effect on poly(butylene succinate) nanocomposites. eXPRESS Polymer Letters 2013;7:340-54.
[15] Harnnecker F, Rosa D. dos Santos, Lenz DM. Biodegradable polyester-based blend reinforced with Curaua´ fiber: thermal, mechanical and
biodegradation behaviour. J Polym Environ 2012;20:237-44.
[16] Kim YF, Choi CN, Kim YD, Lee KY, Lee MS. Compatibilization of immiscible poly(l-lactide) and low density polyethylene blends. Fibers
and Polymers 2004;5:270-4.
[17] Lorenzo MLD. Spherulite growth rates in binary polymer blends. Prog. Polym. Sci. 2003;28:663-89.
[18] Groeninckx G, Vanneste M, Everaert V. Chapter 3 crystallization, morphological structure, and melting of polymer blends. In: Utracki LA,
editor. Polymer blends handbook, Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers; 2002, p. 1-122.
[19] Al-Rawajfeh AE, Al-Salah HA, Al-Rhael I. Miscibility, crystallinity and morphology of polymer blends of polyamide-6/poly (ȕ-
hydroxybutyrate). Jordan Journal of Chemistry 2006;1:155-70.
[20] Zhou S, Chen Y, Zou H, Liang M. Thermally conductive composites obtained by flake graphite filling immiscible polyamide
6/polycarbonate blends. Thermochimica Acta 2013;566:84-91.
[21] Abdelwahab MA, Flynn A, Chiou BS, Imam S, Orts W, Chiellini E. Thermal, mechanical and morphological characterization of plasticized
PLA-PHB blends. Polymer Degradation and Stability 2012;97:1822-8.
[22] Bijarimi M, Ahmad S, Rasid R. Mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of PLA/PP melt blends. International Conference on
Agriculture, Chemical and Environmental Sciences (ICACES) 2012;Oct. 6-7.
210 Nalin Ploypetchara et al. / Energy Procedia 56 (2014) 201 – 210

[23] Yao M, Deng H, Mai F, Wang K, Zhang Q, Chen F, Fu Q. Modification of poly(lactic acid)/ poly(propylene carbonate) blends through melt
compounding with maleic anhydride. eXPRESS Polymer Letters 2011;5:937-49.
[24] Hamad K, Kaseem M, Deri F. Rheological and mechanical characterization of poly(lactic acid)/polypropylene polymer blends. J Polym Res
2011;18:1799-806.
[25] Reddy N, Nama D, Yang Y. Polylactic acid/ polypropylene polyblend fibers for better resistance to degradation. Polymer Degradation and
Stability 2008;93:233-41.
[26] Raj B, Annadurai V, Somashekar, Raj M, Siddaramaiah. Structure-property relation in low-density polyethylene-starch immiscible blends.
European Polymer Journal 2001;37:943-8.
[27] Utracki LA, Kamal MR. Chapter 7 the rheology of polymer alloys and blends. In: Utracki LA, editor. Polymer blends handbook,
Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers; 2002, p. 449-546.

View publication stats