Mechanical and Morphological Properties of PLA/BioPE Blend Compatibilized with E‐GMA and EMA‐GMA Copolymers

Summary In this work, the effect of Ethylene‐Glycidyl Methacrylate (E‐GMA) and Ethylene‐Methyl Acrylate‐Glycidyl Methacrylate (EMA‐GMA) copolymers on the mechanical and morphological properties on the blends of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) with biopolyethylene (BioPE) was evaluated. Uncompatibilized and compatibilized blends were prepared by extrusion followed by injection molding and characterized by Melt Flow Index (MFI), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), mechanical properties, Scanning (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results of mechanical tests showed that E‐GMA and EMA‐GMA copolymers acted promoting the compatibilization of the PLA/BioPE blend. MFI measurements along with FTIR and morphology analysis by SEM indicated the formation of in‐situ copolymers due to reactions between hydroxyl and carboxyl functional groups of PLA and the epoxy groups of E‐GMA and EMA‐GMA copolymers.