Talc as a nucleating agent and reinforcing filler in poly(lactic acid) composites

The effect of talc on the crystallinity and mechanical properties of a series of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/talc composites has been investigated. The composites were prepared by melt blending followed by compression molding. It was found that talc acted as a nucleating agent and increased the crystallinity of the PLA from 2% to 25%. There was significant improvement in Young's modulus of the composites with increasing talc addition and these results were found to fit the Halpin Tsai model. Thermo‐mechanical tests confirmed that the combination of increased crystallinity and storage modulus leads to improvement in the heat distortion properties. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:64–70, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers